The directional dependence of cometary magnetic energy density in the quasi-parallel and quasi-perpendicular regimes

The direction of propagation of low frequency magnetic fluctuations generated by cometary ion pick-up is examined by means of 1D electromagnetic hybrid simulations. The newborn ions are injected at a constant rate, and the helicity and direction of propagation of magnetic fluctuations are explored for cometary ion injection angles of 0 and 90 deg relative to the solar wind magnetic field. The parameter eta represents the relative contribution of wave energy propagating in the direction away from the comet, parallel to the beam. For small (quasi-parallel) injection angles eta was found to be of order unity, while for larger (quasi-perpendicular) angles eta was found to be of order 0.5.