An Einstein search for X-ray emission from comet Bradfield (1979l)
Abstract
X-radiation may result from active plasma phenomena in the interactions of comets with the solar wind. We have carried out a limited but sensitive search for soft X-radiation from Comet Bradfield (1979 l), on 1980 Feb. 5. No X-radiation was detected at a level (3σ) of 1.7 × 10 -13 erg(cm 2sec keV) -1 in the 0.2 - 4.0 kev range. This corresponds to a limit on the power dissipated in the comet by non-thermal electrons of approximately 10 19 ergs sec -1, averaged over the 2568-sec exposure to the comet. This energy deposition is near the magnitude suggested by simple theoretical ideas, and further searches of appropriate comets both in soft X-radiation and at radio wavelengths seem warranted.
- Publication:
-
Planetary and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0032-0633(81)90104-5
- Bibcode:
- 1981P&SS...29.1373H
- Keywords:
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- Comets;
- Plasma Interactions;
- Solar Wind;
- X Ray Sources;
- Energy Dissipation;
- Proportional Counters;
- Telescopes;
- Astrophysics