Deimos: an obstacle to the solar wind
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 25, 1995
Summary
Phobos-2 detected solar wind disturbances near Deimos, suggesting a Mach cone interaction. A charged dust coma from neutral gas emission is the favored explanation for this space plasma phenomenon.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Planetary Science
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- The solar wind interacts with celestial bodies, creating phenomena in their wakes.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for planetary magnetospheric studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze solar wind disturbances detected by Phobos-2 near Deimos.
- To investigate the interaction mechanisms between the solar wind and the moon Deimos.
Main Methods:
- In-situ measurements of plasma and magnetic fields by the Phobos-2 spacecraft.
- Analysis of transient disturbances within the Deimos wake.
Main Results:
- Detection of two distinct, short-duration solar wind disturbances.
- Interpretation of these events as crossings of a Mach cone generated by solar wind-Deimos interaction.
- Evaluation of potential interaction mechanisms including magnetization, cometary-like activity, and induction.
Conclusions:
- The observed phenomena are best explained by a Mach cone resulting from solar wind interaction with Deimos.
- Neutral gas emission and a charged dust coma, possibly due to water loss from Deimos, are the favored contributing factors.
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