Comet Halley remote plasma tail observations and in situ solar wind properties: VEGA- [formula omitted] IMF/plasma observations and ground-based optical observations from 1 December 1985 to 1 May 1986

Abstract

Properties of the interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind plasma are analysed from continuous observations from 1 December 1985 to 1 May 1986 made by the Vega spacecraft (Riedler et al., 1986, Nature 321, 288; Gringauz et al., 1986, Nature 321, 282). Several high speed streams and flare-related shocks are found; the magnetic field sector boundaries are also seen. Many Earth-based observations of disconnection events in the plasma tail of comet Halley are now available and several mechanisms [changes in the solar wind (Jockers, 1985, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 62, 791; 1986, Asteroids, Comets and Meteors II, Reprocentralen HSC, Uppsala), interplanetary magnetic field features, e.g. day-side reconnection (Niedner and Brandt, 1978, Astrophys. J. 223, 665) or night-side reconnection (Russell et al., 1986, J. geophys. Res. 91, 1417)] have been proposed to explain the occurrence of such events. We investigated the correlation between the IMF sector boundaries measured by Vega and the observed disconnection events; such a correlation would support the day-side reconnection explanation. It is found that only in 50% of the considered events does a correlation between these two phenomena exist. For the other cases, a sector boundary of the IMF sweeping over the comet cannot explain the occurrence of disruptions of the main plasma tail. An indication is also seen that density enhancements (e.g. as they occur for high speed streams) in the solar wind are connected with large tail events.