Loss of the Surface Layers of Comet Nuclei

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2

Comets: Surface, Comets: Nuclei, Comets: Emission

Scientific paper

The Deep Impact observations of low thermal inertia for comet 9P/Tempel 1 are of profound importance for the observations to be made by the Rosetta spacecraft at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. While sub-surface sublimation is necessary to explain the observations, the depth at which this occurs is no more than 2 3 cm and possibly less. The low thermal conductivity when combined with local surface roughness (also observed with Deep Impact) implies that local variations in outgassing rates can be substantial. These variations are likely to be on scales smaller than the resolution limits of all experiments on the Rosetta orbiter. The observed physico-chemical inhomogeneity further suggests that the Rosetta lander will only provide a local snapshot of conditions in the nucleus layer.

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

Loss of the Surface Layers of Comet Nuclei 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 Loss of the Surface Layers of Comet Nuclei, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Loss of the Surface Layers of Comet Nuclei will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-795429

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