HR: 1330h
AN: P43A-04    [Abstracts]
TI: The Spatial Distribution Of Comet - Solar Wind X-ray Spectra
AU: * Bodewits, D
EM: bodewits@kvi.nl
AF: KVI Atomic Physics, RuG, Zernikelaan 25, Groningen, NL 9747 AA Netherlands
AU: Hoekstra, R
EM: hoekstra@kvi.nl
AF: KVI Atomic Physics, RuG, Zernikelaan 25, Groningen, NL 9747 AA Netherlands
AU: Tielens, X
EM: tielens@astro.rug.nl
AF: Kapteyn Institute, RuG, Zandleven 12, Groningen, NL 9747 AD Netherlands
AU: Lisse, C
EM: lisse@astro.umd.edu
AF: Planetary Exploration Group, Space Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory,, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd,, Laurel, MD 20723 United States
AB: Charge exchange processes lead to characteristic X-ray emission spectra, which provide an excellent diagnostic tool for the interaction between comets and the solar wind. We have developed a model for the X-ray emission spectra of comets based upon measured charge exchange cross sections of astrophysically relevant ions. The results show that the differences in electron capture cross sections of solar wind carbon and oxygen ions result in distinctly different spatial distributions of X-ray emission from these species. Specifically, the ratio of the (OVIII+ OVII)/(CVI+CV) is shown to be a good measure of the solar wind velocity and cometary neutral density distribution. As such, this ratio opens a unique window on the interaction of the solar wind plasma and coma.
UR: http://www.kvi.nl/~atf
DE: 6025 Interactions with solar wind plasma and fields
DE: 7831 Laboratory studies
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly