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The structure of cometary ionospheres. II - CO-rich cometsThe structure of the ionosphere of a CO-rich comet is computed using two different models. The first one, the photochemical model, assumes that the dissociation and ionization of cometary neutrals and ions are due to photoionization, and photodissociation by solar UV radiation together with dissociative recombinations and ion-neutral reactions. The second one, the internal source model, also incorporates the ionization and dissociation effects of an electric current discharging through the inner coma. The generation of this current has been discussed in earlier papers. It is concluded that the internal source model can explain qualitatively the basic morphology of the ionospheres of CO-rich comets such as Humason (1962, VIII) and Morehouse (1908, III), whereas the photochemical model cannot. The main aim of this paper is not so much to provide accurate numerical estimates as to draw attention to a process which may very well dominate the structures of cometary ionospheres.
Document ID
19770040890
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ip, W.-H.
(California Univ. La Jolla, CA, United States)
Mendis, D. A.
(California, University La Jolla, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 30
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
77A23742
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF MPS-78-23501
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7102
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-05-009-110
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF MPS-74-21195
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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