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Energetic Ion Fluxes in the Inner Coma of Comet P/Halley

Balsiger, H.; Young, D. T.; Goldstein, R. +3 more

The particle phenomenon observed inside the magnetic field-free cavity near the nucleus of Comet P/Halley by the Giotto Ion Mass Spectrometer High-Energy Range Spectrometer sensor is studied. The question of access to the cavity of particles ionized farther out in the coma is addressed. A quantitative model of a mechanism for creating the observed…

On the Possible Detection of Organic Dust-borne C 3H + Ions in the Coma of Comet Halley

Reme, H.; Korth, A.; Lin, R. P. +4 more

The heavy ion analyzer (PICCA) on board the Giotto spacecraft was used to determine the composition of positively charged ions in the environment of Comet Halley. Here it is argued that a distinct peak at 37 amu, observed in the mass spectrum inside the ionopause, is due to C3H(+). It is further argued that the dominant source of this ion, as well…