The P/Giacobini-Zinner magnetotail

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6913369

Slavin, J A; Smith, E J; Daly, P W; Flammer, K R; Gloeckler, G; Goldberg, B A; McComas, D J; Scarf, F L; Steinberg, J L

On September 11, 1985 the International Cometary Explorer passed behind Comet Giacobini-Zinner with a closest approach distance of 7800 km. In agreement with Alfven's interplanetary magnetic field line draping model of cometary type I tails, a well defined 1 x 10/sup 4/ km diameter magnetotail was observed downstream of the inner coma. This study uses the ICE magnetic field, plasma electron, plasma wave, and energetic ion observations to investigate the structure and stability of the Giacobini-Zinner magnetic tail. Emphasis is placed on the identification of differences and similarities between cometary and planetary magnetotails. Finally, the ICE magnetotail observations are discussed in relation to the global solar wind interaction with P/Giacobini-Zinner. 33 refs., 8 figs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA); Max-Planck-Institut fuer Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau (Germany, F.R.); California Univ., San Diego, La Jolla (USA); Maryland Univ., College Park (USA); TRW Space and Technology Group, Redondo Beach, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6913369
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-86-4362; CONF-8610207-1; ON: DE87003761
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMETS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
ION EMISSION
LEPTONS
MAGNETOTAIL
PLASMA WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND