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Observations of solar wind ion charge exchange in the Comet Halley comaGiotto Ion Mass Spectrometer/High Energy Range Spectrometer (IMS/HERS) observations of solar wind ions show charge exchange effects and solar wind compositional changes in the coma of Comet Halley. As the comet was approached, the He(2+) to proton density ratio increased from 2.5 percent in the solar wind to about 4 percent about 1 hr before closest approach after which time it decreased to about 1 percent. Abrupt increases in this ratio from 2.5 to 4.5 percent were also observed in the beginning and near the end of the so-called Mystery Region. These abrupt increases in the density ratio were well correlated with enhanced fluxes of keV electrons as measured by the Giotto plasma electron spectrometer. The general increase and then decrease of the He(2+) to proton density ratio is quantitatively consistent with a combination of the addition of protons of Cometary origin to the plasma and loss of plasma through charge exchange of protons and He(2+).
Document ID
19910069608
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fuselier, S. A.
(Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Shelley, E. G.
(Lockheed Research Laboratories Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Goldstein, B. E.
(Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Goldstein, R.
(Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Neugebauer, M.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ip, W.-H.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Aeronomie Katlenburg-Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany, United States)
Balsiger, H.
(Bern, Universitaet Switzerland)
Reme, H.
(Centre d'Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements Toulouse, France)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 379
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
91A54231
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-4336
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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