The Cometary Magnetic Field and Its Associated Electric Currents

Two different observations of Comet Kohoutek (1973f) seem to suggest the existence of substantial magnetic fields (⪆ 100 γ) in its coma and tail. The effects of the currents and hydromagnetic waves associated with these magnetic fields are considered and it is shown that while the currents closing through the inner coma may represent an important source of ionization in that region, the dissipation of hydromagnetic waves may also be a significant, if not dominant, source of heating there.