Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up

Details Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up

Oct 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000dps....32.4117f&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS Meeting #32, #41.17; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, p.1075

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

1

Scientific paper

We present an analysis of photometry and CCD imaging of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) obtained both before and after break-up in late July. Photometry was obtained at Lowell Observatory on 10 nights between 1999 Dec 5 and 2000 Jul 13 (r = 3.57-0.80 AU) with post-break-up measurements obtained on Jul 29 and Aug 1. From December to March, dust production, as measured by Afρ , was essentially unchanged at about 200 cm, while the CN production rate increased from 2*E24 to 1*E25 mol s-1. The flat dust production is consistent with the scenario that LINEAR, a dynamically new comet, experienced an outburst with very low outflow velocities at large r, and this older material overwhelmed subsequent dust emission during this period. Measured gas and dust production peaked during an apparent outburst centered on June 11, with Afρ reaching 800 cm and Q(CN) reaching 5*E25 mol s-1. The corresponding values on July 13, 2 weeks before perihelion, were about 400 cm and 3*E25 mol s-1, and Q(OH; Haser) was 1.7*E28 mol s-1, yielding Q(water; vectorial) of 2.6*E28 mol s-1. On July 29, about 4 days after break-up, dust and gas production had fallen by a factor of 10. Images of comet LINEAR were obtained on 31 pre-perihelion nights between 1999 Nov 2 and 2000 Jul 9 at McDonald and Lowell Observatories, and on eight post-break-up nights from Lowell and Perth Observatories. Analysis of these images will include: 1) Processing to enhance coma features and to look for fragments that broke off before the complete disruption; 2) Investigation of features that might constrain the nucleus rotation; and 3) Modeling of the dust tail to determine the particle size distribution and place a limit on the mass ejected during break-up. Preliminary results, focusing on the time around break-up, will be presented. This research was supported by NASA.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up 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 Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Results from Imaging and Photometry of Comet LINEAR (1999 S4) Before Perihelion and After Break-up will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-867131