Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft

Details Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft

May 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986natur.321..341l&link_type=abstract

Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 321, May 15, 1986, p. 341-344. CNES-supported research.

Physics

37

Cometary Atmospheres, Giotto Mission, Halley'S Comet, Interplanetary Dust, Interplanetary Gas, Optical Properties, Carbon Monoxide, Cyanogen, Hydroxyl Radicals, Linear Polarization, Polarimeters, Comets, Halley, Spacecraft Observations, Mission Description, Experiments, Optical Properties, Giotto, Ope, Optical Probe Experiment, Dust, Gases, Comae, Distribution, Scattering, Distance, Density, Jets, Emissions, Hydroxel Radical, Cyanide Radical, Production Rate, Parent Molecules

Scientific paper

The Halley optical probe experiment (HOPE) aboard the Giotto spacecraft has provided the first measurements of the optical properties of the dust and of some gaseous species (CN, C2, CO/+/ and OH) from inside the coma of comet Halley. The dust spatial distribution, inferred from sunlight scattering, obeys an r exp -2 law for distances from the nucleus r greater than about 2,000 km. The more rapid increase of dust density with distance observed in the innermost coma probably reflects the presence of a jet, or a surge of activity within a few hours before closest approach. The CN and OH signals increase more slowly than the dust signals, but faster than predicted by a simple model (of solar-excited resonance fluorescence) for the distribution of these species. This effect is probably caused in part by the dust contribution, as well as by the production from parent molecules of OH and CN in an excited state.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft 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 Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical probing of comet Halley from the Giotto spacecraft will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1775418