Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004sptz.prop.3692w&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #3692
Physics
Scientific paper
We propose to identify serendipitous detections of comet dust trails in the Spitzer First Look Survey fields. This will include debris in the orbits of known short-period comets as well as 'orphan' trails. This will allow us to determine the number density of trails, the fraction associated with known short-period comets, the extent of trails along comet orbits, whether the distribution of orphans in ecliptic latitude suggest a cometary or asteroidal origin, whether communition of trail particles would allow for comets to be a significant contributor to the broad thermal emission of the zodiacal dust complex, and whether the physical properties of trail particles vary from comet to comet (suggesting different origins). Analysis of detected trails will allow us to determine the temperature and optical depth of the grains, the emission velocities and ages of the trail particles, comet mass loss rates, and constrain comet dust-to-volatile mass ratios. The database of detected comet trails and their thermal radiance will generate important follow-on science by future Spitzer GO trail observations. Trail search techniques and software developed here will serve as a pilot study for efficient trail searches in more extensive programs such as SWIRE.
Lien David
Sykes Mark
Walker Russell
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