The composition and radial dependence of cometary ions in the coma of comet P/Halley

Abstract

The heavy ion analyzer, RPA2-PICCA, on board the Giotto spacecraft detected an increase in the densities of cometary ions within a cometocentric distance of 150,000 km. The composition of cometary ions changed dramatically as the comet's nucleus was approached, but it was clearly dominated by the water group. The second and third most abundant ions identified were associated with the CO- or S-group and the CO₂-group, respectively. Ions of larger atomic mass units were also present closer to the comet, and they possibly correspond to sulphur compounds and/or various hydrocarbons. Radial profiles of various groups of heavy ions and certain abundance ratios are presented. The peak density for all mass groups was detected at a cometocentric distance of 11,000 km. A distinct boundary, where the ion velocity and temperature dropped significantly, was identified at about 27,000 km.