Energetic neutral atom imaging of comets

descriptionPublicationkeyboard_double_arrow_right Article 01 Mar 2008 English Publisher:American Geophysical Union (AGU)Journal:Geophysical Research Letters, volume 35 (issn: 0094-8276, eissn: 1944-8007,

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Authors: A. Ekenbäck; M. Holmström; S. Barabash; H. Gunell;

doi: 10.1029/2007gl032955

Energetic neutral atom imaging of comets

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Abstract

We present the first computer simulated images of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) produced by charge exchange between solar wind protons and cometary neutrals. Proton bulk flow and temperature from MHD simulations are used along with a model of cometary neutral densities. The emission of hydrogen ENAs from the comet is then calculated using cross sections for the charge exchange collisions. The ENA production rate is integrated along lines of sight to produce an image of the fluxes. We find detection of hydrogen ENAs feasible and most favorable at solar zenith angles between 80 and 130 degrees.

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