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Review, based on particles and fields observations made aboard the Giotto spacecraft, concerning the nature of the solar wind interaction with comets P/Halley and P/Grigg–Skjellerup

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Abstract

A key driver underlying the decision to command the Giotto spacecraft on to an encounter with comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup following its highly successful encounter with P/Halley, was the unique scientific opportunity this provided to compare measurements made using the same suite of plasma and fields instruments at (a) very active and 'fresh' comet P/Halley and (b) at a weakly outgassing object (P/Grigg-Skjellerup). In the present paper an overview is provided of the complementary observations resultingly made aboard Giotto during each encounter, with special emphasis on measurements made by the energetic particles instrument EPONA (range E∼60–≥260 keV). Differences identified between the two complementary data sets in the nature of the Solar Wind interaction with the individual comets investigated are discussed and shown to be associated with (a) basic differences between the comets themselves and (b) differences in the interplanetary circumstances characterising each encounter

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  1. Space Technology Ireland Ltd., National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co, Kildare, Ireland

    Susan M.P. McKenna-Lawlor

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McKenna-Lawlor, S.M. Review, based on particles and fields observations made aboard the Giotto spacecraft, concerning the nature of the solar wind interaction with comets P/Halley and P/Grigg–Skjellerup. Space Science Reviews 88, 501–528 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005107713362

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