The Composition and Dynamics of Cometary Ions in the Outer Coma of Comet p/ Halley
Abstract
During its flyby at comet Halley, the Giotto spacecraft encountered high densities of cometary ions inside approximately 200000 km from the nucleus. Their properties changed drastically as the comet was approached. We present here density profiles of solar wind alpha particles and of the major cometary ions as obtained by the IMS-HERS sensor between 340000 km and 60000 km from the nucleus. Typical mass spectra at various distances are presented and angular and velocity distributions of the cometary ions are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987A&A...187..163B