Abstract
The parameters and location of the weak bow shocks detected by the spaceprobes are compared with gas dynamical calculations. No shock is identifiable at times, indicating that it is not dominant over temporal changes and not very significant in enhancing intrinsic dissipation and phase mixing processes. The location at comet Halley was closer than predicted on the mass-loading model, indicating inefficient pick-up of implanted ions. Flaring of the shock limbs was also lower at the Giotto encounter, closer to the minimum level induced by strong cooling in the inner coma. The suprathermal cometary ions' disappearance in the ionosheath outside the magnetopause discontinuity confirms this. Flow deviation and shock strength need closer modelling, but the thick shock in the protons is evidence for an ion-ion instability mechanism, apart from the upstream Fermi processes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
