MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Observation of interplanetary particles in a corotating interaction region and of energetic water group ions from comet Grigg-Skjellerup


    Kirsch, E., Daly, P.W., McKenna-Lawlor, S., Neubauer, F.M. and Coates, A.J. (1997) Observation of interplanetary particles in a corotating interaction region and of energetic water group ions from comet Grigg-Skjellerup. Planetary and Space Science, 45 (9). pp. 1105-1117. ISSN 0032-0633

    [thumbnail of 1-s2.0-S0032063397000548-main.pdf]
    Preview
    Text
    1-s2.0-S0032063397000548-main.pdf
    Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike.

    Download (1MB) | Preview

    Abstract

    During the flyby of the Giotto S/C with comet Grigg-Skjellerup (G-S) (9–11 July 1992) energetic particles (EH2O > 60 keV, Ep > 30 keV, Eα > 3.5 MeV), magnetic fields and plasma ions were measured by three different detectors on board Giotto. The flyby period was characterized by high magnetic field magnitudes (> 12 nt) and an enhanced background flux caused most likely by the reverse shock of a corotating interaction region (CIR). Within the CIR three different particle acceleration events were detected: 1. Proton and α-particle acceleration (Ep > 4.5 MeV, Eα > 3.5 MeV) caused by a sudden increase of the magnetic field combined with a change in direction. 2. Proton and H2O-ion (Ep > 220 eV, EH2O > 260 keV) acceleration caused by a directional discontinuity of the magnetic field. 3. Acceleration of water group ions in the foreshock and bow shock regions of comet G-S associated with a further increase of the magnetic field magnitude. Particle fluxes, magnetic field measurements, pitch angles and energy spectra are used to discuss the particle acceleration processes such as shock drift mechanism, inductive acceleration, Fermi acceleration and adiabatic compression. The results are compared with those obtained during the Giotto-Halley encounter.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: interplanetary particles; corotating interaction region; energetic water group ions; comet; Grigg-Skjellerup;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Experimental Physics
    Item ID: 20536
    Identification Number: 10.1016/S0032-0633(97)00054-8
    Depositing User: IR Editor
    Date Deposited: 04 Sep 2025 14:03
    Journal or Publication Title: Planetary and Space Science
    Publisher: Elsevier
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/20536
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads