Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006a%26a...451l...5v&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 451, Issue 2, May IV 2006, pp.L5-L8
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4
Scientific paper
Aims.We aim to investigate the dynamical fate of meteoroids ejected during past perihelion passages of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova that intersect the orbit of Venus. Of particular interest is the possibility, borne of previous work, that a significant flux of these particles will reach the planet during early June and late August 2006, when the Venus Express spacecraft will be operating in orbit around Venus. Methods: .We have simulated the generation of meteoroid trails ejected by the comet at some past perihelion passages, and numericaly integrated them forward in time until they approach Venus in 2006. Results: .On the inbound leg of the comet's path towards perihelion, we find a trail composed of dust particles ejected between 1943 and 1980 that encounters Venus on 9 June 2006 at a distance of 0.009 AU. On the outbound leg, we observe a dense trail of particles ejected between 1985 and 2001 that measures 3.4×10-4 AU (5 × 104 km) in half-width, and passes under the planet at a distance of 1.72 × 10-3 AU (2.6 × 105 km) on 30 August. Based on these results, we conclude that, on both occasions, the incident flux at Venus will likely be too low to allow for the detection of a shower by optical means. We discuss the circumstances under which Venus Express may encounter a significant flux of small particles detectable through impact ionization or disturbances in the interplanetary magnetic field.
Christou Apostolos A.
Vaubaillon Jeremie
No associations
LandOfFree
Encounters of the dust trails of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova with Venus in 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 Encounters of the dust trails of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova with Venus in 2006, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Encounters of the dust trails of comet 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova with Venus in 2006 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1023520