An Investigation of the Nucleus and Coma of Comet P/Arend-Rigaux (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

;

• A'Hearn, M. F. ;
• Campins, H.

Abstract

Narrow-band photometry of Comet P/Arend-Rigaux in the visible and near-ultraviolet are presented for six nights during the 1884/1985 apparition, including three nights of simultaneous observations in the thermal infrared made with the NASA IRTF. The results indicate a period of rotation of 13.47 hr, dimensions for the nucleus of 13 x 8 x 8 km (under the assumption of prolate spheroid shape), and a steady decrease in the comet's gas production from a month before perihelion to more that two months after perihelion. Results for the nucleus and the coma suggest that the nucleus is totally covered with a nonvolatile mantle.

Publication:

The Astrophysical Journal

Pub Date:

January 1988

DOI:

10.1086/165974

Bibcode:

1988ApJ...324.1194M

Keywords:

• Astronomical Photometry;
• Comet Nuclei;
• Ultraviolet Spectra;
• Visible Spectrum;
• Gaseous Diffusion;
• Near Ultraviolet Radiation;
• Periodic Variations;
• COMETS;
• COMAE;
• COMET NUCLEI;
• AREND-RIGAUX;
• PHOTOMETRY;
• ULTRAVIOLET;
• WAVELENGTHS;
• VISIBLE RADIATION;
• EARTH-BASED OBSERVATIONS;
• BRIGHTNESS;
• TELESCOPE METHODS;
• OPTICAL PROPERTIES;
• INFRARED;
• ROTATION;
• SHAPE;
• ANALYSIS;
• PERIOD;
• SIZE;
• GASES;
• PRODUCTION RATE;
• SURFACE;
• MANTLE;
• LIGHTCURVES;
• MAGNITUDE;
• DATA;
• THERMAL PROPERTIES;
• MODELS;
• COLOR;
• COMPARISONS;
• FLUX;
• DUST;
• FLUORESCENCE;
• Astrophysics; Comets;
• COMETS;
• PHOTOMETRY