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3D Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Modelling of the Inner Gas Coma of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko: A Parameter Study
Kührt, E.; Keller, H. U.; Knollenberg, J. +9 more
Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) is a powerful numerical method to study rarefied gas flows such as cometary comae and has been used by several authors over the past decade to study cometary outflow. However, the investigation of the parameter space in simulations can be time consuming since 3D DSMC is computationally highly intensive. For the…
Space Weather at Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko Before its Perihelion
Odstrcil, D.; Goldstein, R.; Richter, I. +8 more
Interplanetary scintillation observations, as well as the ENLIL 3D-MHD model when employed either separately or in combination with the observations, enable the making of predictions of the solar wind density and speed at locations in the inner heliosphere. Both methods are utilized here to predict the arrival at the Rosetta spacecraft and its adj…
Transport and Distribution of Hydroxyl Radicals and Oxygen Atoms from H2O Photodissociation in the Inner Coma of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Ip, Wing-Huen; Thomas, Nicolas; Lai, Ian-Lin +5 more
With a combination of the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) calculation and test particle computation, the ballistic transport process of the hydroxyl radicals and oxygen atoms produced by photodissociation of water molecules in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko is modelled. We discuss the key elements and essential features of such s…
Revisiting the Single-Fluid Modeling of the Solar Wind–Comet Interaction: Closer Look at the Cometosheath
Dryer, M.; Kartalev, M.; Keremidarska, V.
Earlier developed single fluid gas-dynamic model of solar wind–comet ionosphere interaction is applied to reveal some specifics in the morphology of the shocked "contaminated" solar wind region (cometosheath). The model is based on the Euler equations with added mass-loading, mass-loss and frictional force terms. Numerous reactions are taken into …
Modeled Interaction of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the Solar Wind Inside 2 AU
Ip, W. -H.; Gombosi, T. I.; Rubin, M. +4 more
Periodic comets move around the Sun on elliptical orbits. As such comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (hereafter 67P) spends a portion of time in the inner solar system where it is exposed to increased solar insolation. Therefore given the change in heliocentric distance, in case of 67P from aphelion at 5.68 AU to perihelion at ~1.24 AU, the comet's a…
Interaction of Low-Activity Comets with the Solar Wind
Baranov, Vladimir B.; Alexashov, Dmitry B.; Lebedev, Michail G.
The solar wind flow around a cometary atmosphere is calculated using the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic model developed by the authors. Emphasis is placed on the case of low-activity comets in which some special features, both quantitative and qualitative, are inherent. The behavior of the flowfield and the magnetic field disturbed by the c…
Dust Activity in Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko from February 20 to April 20, 2003
Lara, L. M.; Gutiérrez, P. J.; Licandro, J. +1 more
Broadband imaging of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko has provided more data on the characterisation of the target of the ESA Rosetta Mission. The comet monitoring between rh=2.37 and rh=2.78 AU postperihelion shows a prominent dust coma which extends up to ≈ 25,000 km from the nucleus, and a long dust structure in approximate…
Meteoroid Streams Associated to Comets 9P/Tempel 1 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Jorda, L.; Lamy, P.; Vaubaillon, J.
The meteoroid streams associated to short-period comets 9P/Tempel 1 (the target of the Deep Impact mission). and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (the target of the Rosetta mission) are studied. Their structure is overwhelmingly under the control of Jupiter and repeated relatively close encounters cause a reversal of the direction of the spati…