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Spatially resolved quantitative spectroscopy of cometsBecause of their temporal and spatial variations, modern ground-based studies of comets within approximately 4 A.U. of the sun are observationally demanding tasks. Over the years, researchers have attempted resolved spectroscopy of comets covering a wide range of intrinsic luminosity. Recently this group has developed spectral and direct-imaging procedures to detect weak ion tails submerged into the comae of even fairly faint comets. Although the last year was devoid of any really bright comet, re-analysis of older dust and gas production data of the 1986 P/Halley apparition has been almost completed. The main changes are that the nucleus does make a significant contribution to continuum light, and that the gravity effect in the dust escape velocity is somewhat larger than previously assumed. On the direct observational side, spectral studies of the 1987's Comet Bradfield show it to be qualitatively carbon-rich, at least in the outer coma ratio of CO(+) and CO2(+), compared the H2O(+) with respect to Halley at similar heliocentric distances.
Document ID
19890007314
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Spinrad, Hyron (California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1988
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington, Reports of Planetary Astronomy,
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
89N16685
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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