Work

Implications of Solar Wind Composition for Cometary X‐Rays

Year: 2000

Type: article

Abstract: Solar wind composition provides a strong source of variability for cometary X-rays. Using recently constrained composition observations from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer on the Ulysses spacecraft (SWICS/ Ulysses ) and information on ion-neutral charge-transfer collisions, we model cometary X-ray emission and its variability. Fast and slow solar wind cases are adopted and compared to observations of X-ray spectra from the Röntgen-Satellit ( ROSAT ) for comet Levy. The predicted and observed spectra compare most favorably for fast solar wind in optically thin conditions. Solar wind composition can be predicted as a function of the coronal temperature near its source and, consequently, cometary X-ray spectra may be predicted as a function of the solar wind's coronal temperature. Implications and additional developments necessary to unravel the compositional information contained in X-ray spectra are explored.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.1086/317176

Authors: N. A. Schwadron, T. E. Cravens

Institutions: University of Michigan, University of Kansas

Language: English

Topic: Astro and Planetary Science

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Awards: STUDIES IN PLANETARY AERONOMY, Solar Wind Interaction With Non-Magnetic Planets, Consequences of a New Heliospheric Magnetic Field Model Including Footpoint Motion, ENERGETIC PARTICLE PROPAGATION IN THE NEW MODEL FO R THE HELIOSPHERIC MAGNETIC FIELD