An examination of possible solar wind sources for a sudden brightening of comet IRAS‐Araki‐Alcock

Abstract

Possible solar wind sources for a sudden global brightening of Comet IRAS‐Araki‐Alcock are examined. No increases in solar wind momentum flux, solar energetic particles or solar activity occurred coincident with these brightenings. The only change in the solar wind coincident with the brightenings was a rotation of the interplanetary magnetic field to a more flow‐aligned state. If this rotation did not lead to the cometary brightening, the brightening must have been intrinsic to the comet.