Macroscopic Perturbations of the IMF by p/ Halley as Seen by the Giotto Magnetometer
Neubauer, F. M.; Raeder, J.; Burlaga, L. F.; Ness, N. F.
Germany, United States
Abstract
Giotto magnetic field data have been used to analyze the macroscopic field structure in the vicinity of comet P/Halley. During the Giotto flyby at P/Halley the IMF showed quite a stable "away" polarity. Draping of magnetic field lines is clearly observed along the outbound leg of the trajectory. Inside the magnetic pile-up region the field reverses its polarity several times. A symmetry of oppositely magnetized sheets with respect to the nucleus is found and can be explained in terms of convected IMF features.