The Nucleus of Comet P/Tempel 2 (original) (raw)

NASA/ADS

;

• Campins, Humberto ;
• Schleicher, David G. ;
• Millis, Robert L.

Abstract

Simultaneous optical photometry and IR radiometry of Comet P/Tempel 2 are presented. Periodic variations of brightness are present and in phase at all wavelengths. Because the optical and thermal rotational light curves are in phase, it is concluded that the variations are caused by the changing apparent cross section of an elongated nucleus rotating with a period near 8.9 h. The variation of flux with aperture makes it possible to separate the contributions of the nucleus and the coma. The contribution by the coma is about 25 percent at maximum light in the optical and undetectable at the level of 10 percent at all times in the thermal IR.

Publication:

The Astrophysical Journal

Pub Date:

December 1989

DOI:

10.1086/168204

Bibcode:

1989ApJ...347.1155A

Keywords:

• Astronomical Photometry;
• Brightness Distribution;
• Comet Nuclei;
• Tempel 2 Comet;
• Albedo;
• Asteroids;
• Coma;
• Infrared Radiometers;
• Light Curve;
• Periodic Variations;
• Astrophysics;
• COMETS;
• ROTATION