Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992a%26a...258l...9p&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 258, no. 2, p. L9-L12.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
43
Amorphous Materials, Bursts, Comet Nuclei, Crystallization, Halley'S Comet, Ice, Gas Evolution, Gas Flow, Interplanetary Dust, Porous Materials
Scientific paper
An explanation is provided for the postperihelion eruption of Comet P/Halley, detected in February 1991 and believed to have started three months earlier, namely, the crystallization of amorphous ice taking place in the interior of the porous nucleus, at depths of a few tens of meters, accompanied by the release of trapped gases. Numerical calculations show that for a bulk density of 0.5 g/cu cm and a pore size of 1 micron crystallization occurs on the outbound leg of Comet P/Halley's orbit, at heliocentric distances between 5 AU and 17 AU. The trapped gas is released and flows to the surface through the porous medium. It may also open wider channels, as the internal pressures obtained surpass the tensile strength of cometary ice. The outflowing gas carries with it grains of ice and dust, and thus can explain the large amounts of dust observed in the coma at 14.3 AU and beyond.
Bar-Nun Akiva
Prialnik Dina
No associations
LandOfFree
Crystallization of amorphous ice as the cause of Comet P/Halley's outburst at 14 AU 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 Crystallization of amorphous ice as the cause of Comet P/Halley's outburst at 14 AU, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Crystallization of amorphous ice as the cause of Comet P/Halley's outburst at 14 AU will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1512081