Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006

Details Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006 Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006

Sep 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008dps....40.0508t&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #40, #5.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.394

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

3

Scientific paper

We unambiguously detected fragment C of the split comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 on 26 November 2001 with the PC2 and on 10 April 2006 with the HRC of the ACS of the HST. On 26 November 2001 it was at heliocentric and geocentric distances respectively 3.26 AU and 2.34 AU and despite of its large heliocentric distance it was highly active and from images obtained during two consecutive orbits we determined an effective radius of 0.68±0.04 km assuming a spherical shape and standard values for the geometric albedo (0.04) and the phase function (0.04 mag/deg) (Icarus 178, 235-247, 2005). We re-observed fragment C in 2006, taking advantage of the exceptional close encounter of the comet with Earth. The heliocentric and geocentric distances were respectively 1.24 AU and 0.29 AU. Six HST orbits spread over 21 hrs allowed us to obtain multi-color images (BVR) but only a poorly sampled light curve. We determined a possible synodic rotational period in the range 3.5-4 hr. The mean magnitude of the light curve leads to an effective radius of 0.53±0.02 km for the fragment C (assuming the same standard values for the albedo and phase function) and its amplitude, to a minimum axial ratio of 1.8±0.3. Our deep exposures did not reveal any subfragment in the vicinity of the main C fragment. We will discuss possible scenarios to explain the decrease of the size of the C fragment which apparently took place between 2001 and 2006. Moreover, we will discuss a scenario to explain the increase of the rotational period of the C fragment which apparently took place between our HST observations and the radar observations (BAAS 38, abstr. 12.06, p. 504, 2006) about one month later. H,A,W. acknowledges supports by NASA through grant GO/10625 from the STScI, I.T. acknowledges support from CNES, France.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006 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 Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Fragment C of the Split Comet 73p/schwassmann-wachmann 3 in 2001 and 2006 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1436473