Distribution and activity of discrete emission areas on the nucleus of periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle

Statistics – Applications

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

84

Comet Nuclei, Dynamic Characteristics, Jet Flow, Astronomical Models, Cosmic Dust, Morphology, Rotating Environments, Observations, Data, Ejecta, Patterns, Motion, Diagrams, Procedure, Bursts, Comparisons, Shape, Length, Comet Tails, Properties, Mass, Comae, Halley Comet, Comets, Swift-Tuttle Comet, Distribution, Dust, Emissions, Comet Nuclei, Periodic Comets, Dynamics, Evolution, Models, Characteristics, Features, Flows, Analysis, Rotation, Outgassing, Regions, Source, Surface, Particles, Velocity, Gases,

Scientific paper

A general model is proposed which accounts for the dynamical evolution of the observed jets, envelopes and tail bands of periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle, the parent comet of the Perseid meteor stream, in terms of dust ejection from discrete active regions on the rotating nucleus. High-resolution drawings and measurements of cometary jets made upon the comet's first appearance in 1862 are used to infer a nuclear rotation period of 2.77 days, obliquity of 80 deg, and spin axis orientation with respect to the solar direction of 60 deg. The observed jets are attributed to eight discrete active regions covering not more than 1% of the cometary surface and producing bursts of duration of about 0.1 day. Calculations show that waning dust jets develop into envelopes and that old envelopes in turn become the observed tail bands. No evidence of truly violent explosions is found, and effects of active region outgassing on cometary orbital motion are negligible. Potential applications of the model to periodic Comet Halley and other comets are noted.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Distribution and activity of discrete emission areas on the nucleus of periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle 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 Distribution and activity of discrete emission areas on the nucleus of periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Distribution and activity of discrete emission areas on the nucleus of periodic Comet Swift-Tuttle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-743414

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.