Images of the AMPTE artificial comets

Groundbased low-light-level CCD image observations were conducted of both AMPTE “artificial comet” experiments. Preliminary image processing and gridding into absolute astronomical coordinates are presented to illustrate the dynamical features of the effects. In both cases, the neutral gas expanded at ∼ 1.4 km/sec. The resultant plasma structures corresponding to the comet's head drifted perpendicularly to the direction of the solar wind at speeds of ∼ 3 km/sec and ∼ 1 km/sec, respectively. For comet #2, B + ejection speeds of ∼ 10 km/sec preceeded the recoil effect, and downstream accelerations of ∼ 90 m/sec 2 were observed.