Computer Science
Scientific paper
Oct 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002icq....24..223s&link_type=abstract
International Comet Quarterly, Vol. 24, pp. 223-236
Computer Science
Comets, Comet Disappearance, Comet Outburst
Scientific paper
The evolution of comet C/2002 O4 (Hoenig) is investigated from its discovery to its disappearance, and the issue of its fate is addressed. It is suggested that the comet was discovered while in outburst and that a significant fraction of its initial mass had already been lost by the time this episode terminated before mid-August 2002. The outburst, which apparently engulfed the entire subkilometer-sized nucleus, began 2-3 days before discovery, extending over a period of more than 10 days and perhaps as long as 3-4 weeks, with a peak dust-production rate of about 107 g/s, much higher than that of Halley's comet at the same heliocentric distance. The total mass of comet C/2002 O4 expended during the event is estimated at 1-2 x 10^{13} grams, a significant fraction of its nucleus mass. The tail orientation pattern suggests that the activity-driven dust production was confined largely to the period of time from about 90 to 50 days before perihelion (early July to mid-August), so the comet may have been active before the outburst. The event set off a process of runaway erosion of the remaining mass of the nucleus, leading to the comet's complete disintegration into dust and minor fragments near perihelion, as indicated by the sudden fading, the loss of nucleus condensation, and the sizable nongravitational perturbations of the orbital motion. If, contrary to the evidence, the nucleus had survived essentially intact and had become dormant, the comet's motion would have been much more compatible with the gravitational law. A model of the light curve suggests that the latent energy of erosion for the nucleus of comet C/2002 O4 was only about 10000 cal/mole, lower than the sublimation heat of water ice. Thus, the comet's disintegration was nearly spontaneous.
No associations
LandOfFree
What Happened to Comet C/2002 O4 (Hoenig)? 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 What Happened to Comet C/2002 O4 (Hoenig)?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and What Happened to Comet C/2002 O4 (Hoenig)? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1425189