Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011cbet.2632....2j&link_type=abstract
Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams, 2632, 2 (2011). Edited by Green, D. W. E.
Physics
2
Scientific paper
E. Jehin, J. Manfroid, D. Hutsemekers, M. Gillon, and P. Magain, Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique, Liege University, report on broad- and narrow-band imaging of the (596) Scheila outburst (CBET 2583) with the TRAPPIST 0.60-m telescope at La Silla, and on optical spectroscopy with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal. R-band imaging from 2010 Dec. 12.3 to 21.3 UT revealed two arc-like coma features expanding at a regular pace. The first such feature was 1' long on 2010 Dec. 12, oriented to the northeast and bending to p.a. 280 deg (the anti-solar direction). The second feature was shorter, 30" on Dec. 12, oriented to the south and bending to p.a. 230 deg. Both features were getting larger and fainter with time (4' and 2' long, respectively, on Dec. 21.3). A narrow 45"-long tail, opposite the sun (p.a. 280 deg), was also observed in good seeing. R-band images taken on 2011 Jan. 4.3 and 5.3 after the full moon allowed Jehin et al. to again observe these features, seen as 7' and 4' long, respectively -- and much fainter. This discards any sustained activity of the minor planet. Narrow-band images obtained on 2010 Dec. 12.3 with cometary filters do not show any contribution from gases. A 20-min optical spectrum was obtained with FORS2 at the VLT on Dec. 13.3; it does not show any extended cometary gaseous emissions, but only a spatially extended continuum due to dust-scattered sunlight. Short B, V, R, and I exposures performed nearly every two nights from 2010 Dec. 12.3 to 2011 Jan. 5.3 give a magnitude for the nuclear condensation of V = 14.2 +/- 0.1 over the whole period, in agreement with the "APmag" value reported in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory ephemeris. No flux variation of the nuclear condensation was observed. Those preliminary results are in favor of a collisional scenario to explain the outburst of (596) Scheila, rather than a cometary driven activity. This case might be similar to the outburst of comet P/2010 A2, which may have resulted from an impact of a minor planet (Snodgrass 2010, Nature 467, 814).
Gillon Michael
Hutsemékers Damien
Jehin Emmanuel
Magain Pierre
Manfroid Jean
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