Lower hybrid waves at comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko

Abstract We investigate the generation of waves in the lower hybrid frequency range by density gradients in the near plasma environment of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. When the plasma is dominated by water ions from the comet, a situation with magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions is favour...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2017-07, Vol.469 (Suppl_2), p.S29-S38
Main Authors: André, M., Odelstad, E., Graham, D. B., Eriksson, A. I., Karlsson, T., Stenberg Wieser, G., Vigren, E., Norgren, C., Johansson, F. L., Henri, P., Rubin, M., Richter, I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
comets: general
plasmas
Sciences of the Universe
waves
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Summary:Abstract We investigate the generation of waves in the lower hybrid frequency range by density gradients in the near plasma environment of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. When the plasma is dominated by water ions from the comet, a situation with magnetized electrons and unmagnetized ions is favourable for the generation of lower hybrid waves. These waves can transfer energy between ions and electrons and reshape the plasma environment of the comet. We consider cometocentric distances out to a few hundred km. We find that when the electron motion is not significantly interrupted by collisions with neutrals, large average gradients within tens of km of the comet, as well as often observed local large density gradients at larger distances, are often likely to be favourable for the generation of lower hybrid waves. Overall, we find that waves in the lower hybrid frequency range are likely to be common in the near plasma environment.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
1365-2966
DOI:10.1093/mnras/stx868