Interacting Gas Flows In Split Comets: A Re-evaluation Of The Perigee Outburst Of C/1996b2 (hyakutake)

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Split comets offer a unique insight into the cohesive structure, patterns of gas production, and composition of cometary nuclei. Splitting events can take many forms with the amount of material ejected, its stability, and intrinsic activity levels changing from event to event. Since 1996, there have been 3 comets in which a form of gas interaction between the nucleus and the liberated debris was detected. Of these, the most prominent was that of C/1996B2 (Hyakutake), which experienced a significant splitting event just prior to a close (0.102 AU) encounter with the Earth. The favorable geometry of this event made possible the detailed study of both the debris and a pair of gas interaction regions that manifested themselves as `arcs’ or `coma wings'. The mechanism producing the arcs has been a source of debate since their initial discovery, but the state of the existing data analysis has not been adequate to unambiguously identify the more likely source. Here we present the most detailed analysis yet conducted of the arcs and the related condensation regions, with the aim of placing new constraints on the processes that may be responsible for them. In particular we provide new analysis of the extent of gas production in the debris train, the relative locations of the arc features as seen in different gas species, and the relative motion and evolution of arc and debris features.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Interacting Gas Flows In Split Comets: A Re-evaluation Of The Perigee Outburst Of C/1996b2 (hyakutake) 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 Interacting Gas Flows In Split Comets: A Re-evaluation Of The Perigee Outburst Of C/1996b2 (hyakutake), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interacting Gas Flows In Split Comets: A Re-evaluation Of The Perigee Outburst Of C/1996b2 (hyakutake) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1436961

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.