Other
Scientific paper
Jan 1995
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995natur.373...46e&link_type=abstract
Nature, Volume 373, Issue 6509, pp. 46-49 (1995).
Other
21
Scientific paper
CONSIDERED as a comet, the object 2060 Chiron is unusual in two respects: it exhibits outbursts at very large distances from the Sun1-3, and its nucleus is much larger than that of any other known comet4,5. It is, however, similar in size to the recently discovered Kuiper-belt objects6-a population of objects with orbits beyond Neptune, which are a possible source of short-period comets. This has led to the conjecture that Chiron is related to these objects, but its chaotic orbit has brought it much closer to the Sun7. Here we report observations of a recent stellar occultation by Chiron which permit the identification of several features associated with Chiron's coma. The observation of discrete, jet-like features provides evidence that the coma material originates from just a few, small active areas, rather than from uniform sublimation, and that the particles in at least one of these features have radii greater than 0.25 μm. The observations also suggest the presence of material in the plane of Chiron's orbit and are consistent with a gravitationally bound coma. Finally, the present data, and those from a previous occultation8, constrain the radius of Chiron to lie between 83 and 156 km.
Bandyopadhyay Reba M.
Barroso Jr. J.
Barucci Andrea
Bosh Amanda S.
Bule M. W.
No associations
LandOfFree
Jet-like features near the nucleus of Chiron 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 Jet-like features near the nucleus of Chiron, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Jet-like features near the nucleus of Chiron will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-836547