Evidence for the field line reconnection process in the particle and magnetic field measurements obtained during the Giotto-Halley encounter.
Neubauer, F. M.; Korth, A.; Daly, P.; Wenzel, K. P.; Kirsch, E.; O'Sullivan, D.; Thompson, A.; McKenna-Lawlor, S.
Germany, Ireland
Abstract
Measurements of low (E = 250 - 1000 eV) and high (E = 60 to >300 keV) energy particles as well as the magnetic field obtained during the Giotto-Halley encounter on 13/14 March 1986 are used to study the field line merging process. Strong changes in the pitch angle distribution of energetic ions are observed simultaneously. The observations are considered as evidence for sporadic field line merging processes in the front side of Halley's cometosheath which can accelerate ions and electrons up to E ≈ 300 keV.