MHD (Magnetohydrodynamic) Simulation of a Comet Magnetosphere.

Abstract

This paper presents results of a numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the interaction of the solar wind with a comet. It states that for a steady solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) the cometary plasma has a distinctive structure; a spheroidal head and a long ribbon-like tail. Rotational discontinuities in the IMF lead to changes in the tail structure. It is shown how these effects occur and describe ray-like structures as well as a tail disconnection event. The simulation results provide a simple explanation for a number of observable features in cometary plasma tails. (Author)

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 12, 1984
Accession Number
ADA140208

Entities

People

  • J. A. Fedder
  • J. G. Lyon
  • S. H. Brecht

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Discontinuities
  • Engineering
  • Flight
  • Geography
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetosphere
  • Military Research
  • New York
  • Observation
  • Physics
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Simulations
  • Solar System
  • Solar Wind
  • Space Flight
  • Space Sciences

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Solar Physics
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.