Search Publications
Coronal Mass Ejections over Solar Cycles 23 and 24
Lamy, P. L.; Gilardy, H.; Floyd, O. +3 more
We present a statistical analysis of solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) based on 23 years of quasi-continuous observations with the LASCO coronagraph, thus covering two complete Solar Cycles (23 and 24). We make use of five catalogs, one manual (CDAW) and four automated (ARTEMIS, CACTus, SEEDS, and CORIMP), to characterize the temporal evolutions…
Explosive Magnetotail Activity
Khotyaintsev, Yuri; Velli, Marco; Runov, Andrei +13 more
Modes and manifestations of the explosive activity in the Earth's magnetotail, as well as its onset mechanisms and key pre-onset conditions are reviewed. Two mechanisms for the generation of the pre-onset current sheet are discussed, namely magnetic flux addition to the tail lobes, or other high-latitude perturbations, and magnetic flux evacuation…
The Thermal, Mechanical, Structural, and Dielectric Properties of Cometary Nuclei After Rosetta
Kührt, E.; Gundlach, B.; Davidsson, B. +16 more
The physical properties of cometary nuclei observed today relate to their complex history and help to constrain their formation and evolution. In this article, we review some of the main physical properties of cometary nuclei and focus in particular on the thermal, mechanical, structural and dielectric properties, emphasising the progress made dur…
Dimensionality, Coordinate System and Reference Frame for Analysis of In-Situ Space Plasma and Field Data
Wei, Y.; Zong, Q. -G.; Hasegawa, H. +11 more
In the analysis of in-situ space plasma and field data, an establishment of the coordinate system and the frame of reference, helps us greatly simplify a given problem and provides the framework that enables a clear understanding of physical processes by ordering the experimental data. For example, one of the most important tasks of space data ana…
Comet 67P/CG Nucleus Composition and Comparison to Other Comets
Mottola, Stefano; Kappel, David; Oklay, Nilda +9 more
We review our current knowledge of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus composition as inferred from measurements made by remote sensing and in-situ instruments aboard Rosetta orbiter and Philae lander. Spectrophotometric properties (albedos, color indexes and Hapke parameters) of 67P/CG derived by Rosetta are discussed in the context of other …
Dayside Aurora
Strangeway, Robert J.; Frey, Harald U.; Nishimura, Yukitoshi +5 more
Dayside aurora is related to processes in the dayside magnetosphere and especially at the dayside magnetopause. A number of dayside aurora phenomena are driven by reconnection between the solar wind interplanetary magnetic field and the Earth's internal magnetic field at the magnetopause. We summarize the properties and origin of aurora at the cus…
Titan as Revealed by the Cassini Radar
Rodriguez, S.; Barnes, J. W.; Soderblom, J. M. +45 more
Titan was a mostly unknown world prior to the Cassini spacecraft's arrival in July 2004. We review the major scientific advances made by Cassini's Titan Radar Mapper (RADAR) during 13 years of Cassini's exploration of Saturn and its moons. RADAR measurements revealed Titan's surface geology, observed lakes and seas of mostly liquid methane in the …
Quiescent Discrete Auroral Arcs: A Review of Magnetospheric Generator Mechanisms
Echim, Marius M.; Borovsky, Joseph E.; Otto, Antonius +7 more
One of the longstanding questions of space science is: How does the Earth's magnetosphere generate auroral arcs? A related question is: What form of energy is extracted from the magnetosphere to drive auroral arcs? Not knowing the answers to these questions hinders our ability to determine the impact of auroral arcs on the magnetospheric system. M…
Surface Morphology of Comets and Associated Evolutionary Processes: A Review of Rosetta's Observations of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Keller, H. U.; Mottola, S.; Pajola, M. +7 more
Comets can be regarded as active planetary bodies because they display evidence for nearly all fundamental geological processes, which include impact cratering, tectonism, and erosion. Comets also display sublimation-driven outgassing, which is comparable to volcanism on larger planetary bodies in that it provides a conduit for delivering material…
Local Manifestations of Cometary Activity
Keller, Horst Uwe; Skorov, Yuri; Vincent, Jean-Baptiste +5 more
Comets are made of volatile and refractory material and naturally experience various degrees of sublimation as they orbit around the Sun. This gas release, accompanied by dust, represents what is traditionally described as activity. Although the basic principles are well established, most details remain elusive, especially regarding the mechanisms…