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Charge exchange in solar wind-cometary interactionsA simple model of a cometary spherically symmetrical atmosphere and ionosphere is considered. An analytic solution of the governing equations describing the radial distribution of the neutral and ion densities is found. The new solution is compared to the well-known solution of the equations containing only ionization terms. Neglecting recombination causes a significant overestimate of the ion density in the vicinity of the comet. An axisymmetric model of the solar wind-cometary interaction is considered, taking into account the loss of solar wind ions due to charge exchange. The calculations predict that for active comets, solar wind absorption due to charge exchange becomes important at a few thousand kilometers from the nucleus, and a surface separating the shocked solar wind from the cometary ionosphere develops in this region. These calculations are in reasonable agreement with the few observations available for the ionopause location at comets.
Document ID
19830052897
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Gombosi, T. I.
(Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary)
Horanyi, M.
(Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary)
Kecskemety, K.
(Magyar Tudomanyos Akademia Kozponti Fizikai Kutato Intezete, Budapest, Hungary)
Cravens, T. E.
(Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary)
Nagy, A. F.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
May 15, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 268
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
83A34115
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-23-005-015
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-15
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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