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Analysis of the Giacobini-Zinner bow waveThe cometary bow wave of P/Giacobini-Zinner has been analyzed using the complete set of ICE field and particle observations to determine if it is a shock. Changes in the magnetic field and plasma flow velocities from upstream to downstream have been analyzed to determine the direction of the normal and the propagation velocity of the bow wave. The velocity has then been compared with the fast magnetosonic wave speed upstream to derive the Mach number and establish whether it is supersonic, i.e., a shock, or subsonic, i.e., a large amplitude wave. The various measurements have also been compared with values derived from a Rankine-Hugoniot analysis. The results indicate that, inbound, the bow wave is a shock with M = 1.5. Outbound, a subsonic Mach number is obtained, however, arguments are presented that the bow wave is also likely to be a shock at this location.
Document ID
19870013146
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Smith, E. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Slavin, J. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Bame, S. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Thomsen, M. F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cowley, S. W. H. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Richardson, I. G. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hovestadt, D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ipavich, F. M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ogilvie, K. W. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Coplan, M. A. (Maryland Univ. College Park., United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1986
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
CONF-8610207-7
LA-UR-87-40
NASA-CR-180515
DE87-005121
NAS 1.26:180515
Accession Number
87N22579
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-36
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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