Coma Morphology and Constraints on the Rotation Of Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1)

Details Coma Morphology and Constraints on the Rotation Of Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) Coma Morphology and Constraints on the Rotation Of Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1)

May 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997em%26p...77..189s&link_type=abstract

Earth, Moon, and Planets, v. 77, Issue 3, p. 189-198 (1997).

Computer Science

14

Comets: Hale-Bopp C/1995 O1, Rotation, Shape, Morphology

Scientific paper

We present constraints on the spin state of comet Hale-Bopp based on coma morphology. Three cases of rotational states are compatible with near perihelion observations: (1) principal-axis rotation, (2) complex rotational state with a small precessional angle, or (3) complex rotational state with a large ratio between the component periods. For principal axis rotators, images from 1996 (pre-perihelion) are consistent with a rotational angular momentum vector, M, directed at ecliptic longitude and latitude (250 deg, -5 deg) while images from late 1997 (post-perihelion) indicate (310 deg, -40 deg). This may suggest a change in M. A complex rotational state with small precessional angle requires only a small or no change in M over the active orbital arc. In this case, M is directed near ecliptic longitude and latitude (270 deg, -20 deg). A rotationally excited nucleus with a large ratio between component periods requires the nucleus to be nearly spherical. The transformation of dust coma morphology from near-radial jets to bright arcs and then again to near-radial jets is interpreted as a heliocentric and geocentric distance dependent evolutionary sequence. The spiral structures seen in CN filters near perihelion (in contrast to sunward side arcs seen in continuum) can be explained if the precursor of CN molecules (likely sub-micron grains) are emitted from the nucleus at low levels (~ 10% of the peak daytime emission) during the nighttime. This may be indicative of a nucleus with a CO-rich active area(s).

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