Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations

Details Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.2010h&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #20.10

Other

Scientific paper

Remote observations of the light scattered by comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko dust coma are of major importance to determine the physical properties of the particles and prepare the rendezvous with the ESA/Rosetta spacecraft in 2014.
While dust observations have been made during different apparitions, polarization measurements were only obtained during the 1982 apparition by spectropolarimetry [1-2]. Recent imaging polarimetric observations were conducted at Haute-Provence observatory (France) on 2009 March 17-19 at 35 deg. phase angle and at IUCAA Girawali observatory (India) on 2008 December 25-27 at 36 deg. phase angle and on 2009 April 30-May 1 at 29 deg. phase angle.
The imaging technique allows us to follow the intensity and polarization variations through the coma and their evolution. The decrease in intensity as a function of the distance to nucleus in log-log scale is close to -1 on average but important variations with values down to -1.5 are observed in agreement with previous observations in 1982-83 and 1995-96 [3].
Aperture polarization values are nominal before perihelion. Nevertheless, after perihelion, the increase in polarization suggests that an outburst occurred.
Finally, comet 67P/C-G results will be compared to those obtained for other comets, including Jupiter Family Comets [4,5]. Polarization and intensity variations in the coma are reminiscent of those noticed for 9P/Tempel 1 (before Deep Impact) and comet C/2000 WM1 [5]. The presence of rather large particles can thus be suggested before and after perihelion. The properties of the particles ejected during post-perihelion will be discussed.
[1] Myers and Nordsieck, Icarus 58, 431 (1984)
[2] Levasseur-Regourd et al., The New Rosetta Targets, Kluwer, 111 (2004)
[3] Schleicher, Icarus 181, 442 (2006)
[4] Hadamcik and Levasseur-Regourd, PSS 57, 1118 (2009)
[5] Hadamcik and Levasseur-Regourd, JQSRT, 79-80, 661 (2003)

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Is 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko a Classical JFC? Clues from Recent Polarimetric Observations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1332414