Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002em%26p...90..239g&link_type=abstract
Earth, Moon, and Planets, v. 90, Issue 1, p. 239-247 (2002).
Physics
10
Scientific paper
A simplified thermal model has been used to calculate thenon-gravitational forces acting on small irregular nuclei in the orbit ofComet 46P/Wirtanen. The torque of thenon-gravitational force has beencalculated and the Euler equations have been solved in order toinvestigate the rotational evolution of several irregular nuclei duringa single orbital step. Several initial spin axis orientations andactivity patterns on their surfaces have been considered. The nucleiconsidered have a mean radius of 1 km and their inertia moments havebeen calculated assuming a homogeneous bulk density of 500 kg/m3. Inall the simulations, the initial spin period is 6h and the nucleiinitially rotate around their shortest axis. Under these assumptions,significant changes in the angular momentum and in spin period have beenobtained in all the simulations, but the nucleus is found to practicallyremain in its spin state of lowest energy during the entire orbitalperiod.
Gutierrez Pedro J.
Jorda Laurent
Lopez-Moreno José J.
Ortiz Jose L.
Rodrigo Rafael
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