Nonlinear stability of the dayside cometary ionopause

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166350· OSTI ID:7188188

Ershkovich, A I; Flammer, K R

The MHD stability of the cometary ionopause is investigated by nonlinear analysis, describing that stability in terms of the finite perturbation amplitude of both Kelvin-Helmholtz and Rayleigh-Taylor modes. The evolution of the unstable modes is examined, determining the conditions under which finite amplitude effects are expected to stabilize a growing wave disturbance. The analysis is applied to the ionopause at Comet Halley and Comet Giacobini-Zinner, showing that the theoretical prediction concerning the stability of this interface based on an earlier linear analysis remains valid in both cases despite the nonlinear stabilization effects. 18 references.

• Research Organization: California Univ., La Jolla (USA); Tel Aviv Univ. (Israel)
• OSTI ID: 7188188
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 328; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMETS
FLUID FLOW
HALLEY COMET
HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MORPHOLOGY
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MACROINSTABILITIES
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
SUBSONIC FLOW