The comet tail magnetic field: large or small?
Open Access
- 1 October 1978
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 184 (4) , 755-758
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/184.4.755
Abstract
Observations of the folding rate of the tail rays are shown to be indicative of a small magnetic field, Bi, in type-1 comet tails, of the order of the interplanetary magnetic field or less. Equilibrium pressure balance across the tail yields Bi ≲ 10 γ (at 1 AU) throughout the tail cross-section. Observations of helical waves also result in the same Bi values. Arguments in favour of substantial amplification of the solar-wind magnetic field in the cometary tails are shown to be unconvincing.Keywords
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