Comets: General; Comets: Individual: Alphanumeric: C/2001 A2; Methods: Data Analysis
Abstract :
[en] Analysis of the visual light curve and fragmentation sequence of comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) shows a strong temporal correlation between the onset of outbursts and separation of companion nuclei. This scenario conforms to Sekanina's conceptual model for the release of sizable fragments of an inert dust mantle from the nucleus surface: an outburst is triggered as some of the mass rapidly disintegrates into fine dust.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Sekanina, Zdenek; Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109
Jehin, Emmanuel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astrophysique et traitement de l'image
Boehnhardt, Hermann; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordoba 3107, Santiago 19, Chile xbonfils@eso.org ejehin@eso.org hboehnha@eso.org
Bonfils, Xavier; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordoba 3107, Santiago 19, Chile xbonfils@eso.org ejehin@eso.org hboehnha@eso.org
Schuetz, Oliver; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordoba 3107, Santiago 19, Chile xbonfils@eso.org ejehin@eso.org hboehnha@eso.org
