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An examination of possible solar wind sources for a sudden brightening of comet IRAS‐Araki‐Alcock
Author(s) -
Russell C. T.,
Luhmann J. G.,
Baker D. N.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl014i010p00991
Subject(s) - physics , solar wind , comet , interplanetary magnetic field , comet tail , interplanetary spaceflight , astronomy , interplanetary medium , atmospheric sciences , astrophysics , plasma , quantum mechanics
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.