Abstract
Using a 3D fully kinetic approach, we disentangle and explain the ion and electron dynamics of the solar wind interaction with a weakly outgassing comet. We show that, to first order, the dynamical interaction is representative of a four-fluid coupled system. We self-consistently simulate and identify the origin of the warm and suprathermal electron distributions observed by ESA’s Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and conclude that a detailed kinetic treatment of the electron dynamics is critical to fully capture the complex physics of mass-loading plasmas.
- Received 8 February 2017
- Publisher error corrected 5 June 2017
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.205101
© 2017 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Corrections
5 June 2017
Viewpoint
3D View of a Comet’s Neighborhood
Published 15 May 2017
Detailed 3D simulations of a comet’s environment reveal the rich dynamics of ions and electrons observed by the Rosetta spacecraft around comet 67P.
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