The nucleus of Comet P/Tempel 2
1989; IOP Publishing; Volume: 347; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1086/168204
ISSN1538-4357
AutoresMichael F. A’Hearn, H. Campins, D. G. Schleicher, R. L. Millis,
Tópico(s)Isotope Analysis in Ecology
Resumoview Abstract Citations (95) References (28) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Nucleus of Comet P/Tempel 2 A'Hearn, Michael F. ; Campins, Humberto ; Schleicher, David G. ; Millis, Robert L. Abstract Simultaneous optical photometry and IR radiometry of Comet P/Tempel 2 are presented. Periodic variations of brightness are present and in phase at all wavelengths. Because the optical and thermal rotational light curves are in phase, it is concluded that the variations are caused by the changing apparent cross section of an elongated nucleus rotating with a period near 8.9 h. The variation of flux with aperture makes it possible to separate the contributions of the nucleus and the coma. The contribution by the coma is about 25 percent at maximum light in the optical and undetectable at the level of 10 percent at all times in the thermal IR. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1989 DOI: 10.1086/168204 Bibcode: 1989ApJ...347.1155A Keywords: Astronomical Photometry; Brightness Distribution; Comet Nuclei; Tempel 2 Comet; Albedo; Asteroids; Coma; Infrared Radiometers; Light Curve; Periodic Variations; Astrophysics; COMETS; ROTATION full text sources ADS |
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