* Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ, UK
** Space Science Department of ESA, ESTEC, Keplerlaan, 2000 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
*** Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, Katlenburg-Lindau, FRG
Abstract:
The Energetic Particle Anisotropy Spectrometer (EPAS) on the ICE spacecraft observed large fluxes of energetic ions (E > 65-keV) for a period of one day prior to encounter with comet Giacobini-Zinner to several days afterwards. These observations permit the study of the way in which cometary atoms and molecules are “picked-up” and accelerated by the solar wind flow, such that the flow becomes mass-loaded and slowed in the vicinity of the comet. The ion bulk flow within the mass-loaded region can also be studied together with the nature of the boundary between this region and the outer “pick-up” region. Finally it is also possible to study ion motion close to, and within, the induced magnetotail of the comet.