Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus Observations

Details Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus Observations Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus Observations

Feb 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007noao.prop..376m&link_type=abstract

NOAO Proposal ID #2007A-0376

Other

Scientific paper

We have been awarded 104.5 hours of Spitzer telescope time (Fall 2006 and Spring 2007) to make an albedo and radius survey for 100 Jupiter-family comet nuclei using the IRS PU and MIPS imaging. These nuclei have dynamical and evolutionary connections to other Solar System small bodies: TNOs, Centaurs, Trojan asteroids and extinct comet nuclei. The JFCs remain the only group that has not been studied in the mid-IR. Using Spitzer and complementary optical (ground-based) imaging proposed here, we will (1) measure the thermal emission from 100 JFC nuclei and determine their radii, (2) combine the thermal data with optical data to get geometric albedos (for a subset), (3) compare the comet albedo distribution with those of Centaurs, TNOs, Trojans and extinct comet candidates to gauge the effects of surface evolution, (4) test for correlations between cometary albedos and other properties of the nuclei (e.g. composition and dynamical age), (5) resolve the long- standing question of just how safe it is to assume an albedo for a cometary nucleus, and (6) use the radii to derive a new estimate of the size distribution of the JFC comets and verify if a truncation in the sizes is required for small nuclei. This request is for the optical imaging component for those targets best observed from the southern hemisphere.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus 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 Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus Observations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coordinated Spitzer Comet Nucleus Observations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1156055