Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jun 1976
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1976s%26t....51..386s&link_type=abstract
Sky and Telescope, vol. 51, June 1976, p. 386-393.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
20
Astronomical Photography, Comets, Astronomical Models, Brightness, Comet Heads, Comet Nuclei, Comet Tails, Density Distribution, Infrared Astronomy, Particle Acceleration, Time Dependence
Scientific paper
Two peculiarities of Comet West, the multiple splitting of the nucleus as seen in telescope observations and the complex structure of the dust tail, are discussed. A method of analysis based on the premise that the observed rate of separation of a fragment from the principal nucleus is determined by the difference in effective solar attraction acting on the bodies is applied to investigate the motion of the four fragments that separated from the nucleus of Comet West. The predicted motion of the fragments is in good agreement with available observations. It is suggested that the 'synchronic' bands of the dust tail consist of tiny fragments from relatively large particles that burst after release from the comet. The unusual orientation of these bands and their high surface brightness relative to the diffuse tail are explained by a sudden increase in the particle acceleration and in the total scattering surface as the result of the disintegration of the larger particles.
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