Observations and dynamics of plasma tailsObservations of plasma tails of comets are reviewed. The basic morphology of plasma tails is examined. It is shown that two features, viz., the ray-folding phenomenon and disconnection events, are essential to a general understanding of plasma tail phenomena. A qualitative model of disconnection events is proposed that is based on the cyclic occurrence of magnetic reversals in the solar wind.
Document ID
19830032179
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - Collected Works
Authors
Brandt, J. C. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)