Sampling the solar sind at solar maximum in 3D with comets

We propose to utilize comets as natural space probes for sampling the heavy ioncontent of the solar wind at solar maximum in 3D, by investigating the Xrayemission which results from charge exchange interactions between solar wind ionsand cometary neutrals. The solar maximum is particularly well suited for suchstudies. During AO12, which coincides with solar maximum, 4 comets will befavorably placed for XMMNewton: C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS), 2P/Encke, C/2012 S1(ISON), and 154P/Brewington, sampling the solar wind between 10 deg and 75 degheliographic latitude. This proposal makes full use of the spectral, temporal,and spatial resolution of XMMNewton, of its full field of view, and of all itssix (PN, MOS1, MOS2, RGS1, RGS2, OM) scientific instruments. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]