Recreating the Deep Impact's Ejecta Cloud: Estimating Optical Depth, Albedo, and Composition Using SPICE and the Shape Model

Details Recreating the Deep Impact's Ejecta Cloud: Estimating Optical Depth, Albedo, and Composition Using SPICE and the Shape Model Recreating the Deep Impact's Ejecta Cloud: Estimating Optical Depth, Albedo, and Composition Using SPICE and the Shape Model

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.3708b&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #37.08

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

On July 4, 2005, Deep Impact struck the surface of Comet 9P/Tempel 1, excavating a large cloud of material from deep inside the nucleus of the comet. King et al. (2007) and A'Hearn et al. (2008) have studied the properties of ejected material that crossed the limb of the comet. As a follow-up, we observe the shadow on the surface of the nucleus to analyze the material before it crosses the limb.
In this study, we attempt to create a three-dimensional model of the cloud of ejecta to estimate the optical depth and albedo of particles within the layers of Tempel 1's nucleus. This will allow us to constrain the composition of these particles. We use images taken by the Medium Resolution Instrument (MRI) along with SPICE data and the Shape Model to determine how light naturally falls onto the surface near the impact site. From this information, we measure the brightness around the impact site as a function of time due to the shadow created by the ever-changing cloud of ejecta. Next, we will create a three-dimensional model of the cloud to determine which parts of the cloud are creating the corresponding areas of the shadow. This allows for an estimation of the optical depth of the cloud. This study has implications for understanding the layering present within short-period comets, for it may tell us something about the materials that were around during the evolution of the Solar System.
This research is supported by the NASA PDS Small Bodies Node and College Student Investigators.
A'Hearn, M. F., et al.. Optical Depth and Albedo of the Deep Impact Ejecta in the First Minutes. ACM, 2008.
King, A., M, et al, The Properties of Comet Tempel 1 as Determined Through the Cometary Ejecta. BAAS 38, 449 (DPS 2007).

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