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Gyroradius effects on the energetic ions in the tail lobes of Comet P/Giacobini-ZinnerIt is reported that during the ICE fly-by of comet P/Giacobini-Zinner, a depletion was seen in the energetic ion intensities (E greater than 65 keV for 'water group' ions) extending to about 40 min on either side of the time of closest approach (1102 UT on September 11, 1985). It is demonstrated that the physical size of this hole is a few ion gyroradii (about 1.5 x 10 to the 4 km). Angular analysis of the ion distributions in the 'gyroradius region' can distinguish those ions whose gyromotion is entirely in one comet lobe from those that cross the current sheet into the other lobe. In the central tail within a few minutes of closest approach, the single-lobe ions exhibit high intensities and little pitch angle dependence, whereas the ions crossing the current sheet have lower intensities and are streaming along the magnetic field away from the comet. The derived density gradients are used to determine the orientation of the current sheet at closest approach, as 44 degrees east of north.
Document ID
19860052885
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Daly, P. W.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Aeronomie Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany)
Sanderson, T. R.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Aeronomie Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany)
Wenzel, K.-P.
(ESA Space Science Dept., Noordwijk, Netherlands)
Cowley, S. W. H.
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Aeronomie Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany)
Hynds, R. J.
(Imperial College of Science and Technology London, United Kingdom)
Smith, E. J.
(California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 13
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
86A37623
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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