Photoelectron fluxes in cometary atmospheres |
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| Authors: | O Ashihara |
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| Institution: | Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153, Japan |
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| Abstract: | The photoelectron fluxes in cometary atmospheres are calculated by a Monte Carlo method. This is the first quantitative model calculation of this kind. A pure H2O atmosphere is assumed with a sublimation rate of 1030 molecules sec?1 at 1 AU. Discussions of the energetics of electron gas and of the elementary collisional processes in determining the fluxes largely concern this water atmosphere. Influences on the photoelectron fluxes are also investigated for CO, another possible constituent. The excitation rate of the level of atomic oxygen in electron impacts is evaluated. It is highly improbable that the photoelectrons are responsible for the observed 6300 Å emission of the order of 1 kR at a heliocentric distance of 1 AU. The structure of the heat equation for thermal electrons is analyzed and a drastic change of the plasma behavior within the coma region is expected. |
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