Properties of plasma electrons in the magnetic pile-up region of comet Halley.
Anderson, K. A.; Rème, H.; Korth, A.; Lin, R. P.; Carlson, C. W.; Mendis, D. A.; Sauvaud, J. A.; Curtis, D. W.; D'Uston, C.
France, United States
Abstract
In the environment of comet P/Halley, a sharp transition, named the cometopause, was detected by the VEGA and GIOTTO spacecraft around 170000 km from the nucleus. In electron measurements, a clear discontinuity was detected 20% closer to the nucleus, than the cometopause as seen in the ion measurements. Significant changes in the electron distribution function through this discontinuity and within the following region down to 45000 km from the nucleus are presented. It is noted some resemblance between the Venus mantle and the region around the comet which is comprised between the cometopause and the ionopause.