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The importance of nucleus rotation in determining the largest grains ejected from comets
Molina, A.
The maximum diameter of large boulders ejected from the cometary nuclei is investigated using the classical model of dust grain as dragged out by radially expanding cometary gases. The importance of the inertial forces, and particularly those due to the rotation of the comet is shown. Although a larger dust grain can be lifted from the nucleus sur…
On the origin of the tailward velocity of O+ ions over the magnetic poles of Mars
Pérez-de-Tejada, H.; Reyes-Ruiz, M.; Aceves, H.
We numerically simulate the dynamics of a population of O+ ions of ionospheric origin picked-up by the solar wind in the dayside ionosheath of Mars. Their average velocity as they reach the magnetic polar regions of the planet is compared with in situ measurements of the Mars Express spacecraft. We find that the velocity of O+ ions measured over t…