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We present an analysis of the layered structure on 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko’ s Hathor cliff and propose a mechanism (self-sustaining, dual-mode propagation of amorphous to crystalline ice phase-change fronts into the nucleus interior) for its origin. If this is a viable mechanism, the strata must be geologically young (∼106 y). The Hathor cliff exposes strata and orthogonal prominent linear structures...
We analyze the observed radial distribution of column densities of water-ice particulates embedded in the primary jet region (J1) of 103P's inner coma at altitudes between 439 and 1967m (Protopapa et al., 2014, Icarus 238, 191–204) and determine the speed and acceleration of particles and their mass-flow within the filaments of the jet. This is done by applying a CO2 driven (Type IIa) jet model proposed...
I show that the size-distribution of small scattered-disk trans-neptunian objects when derived from the observed size-distribution of Jupiter Family comets (JFCs) and other observational constraints implies that a large percentage (94–97%) of newly arrived active comets within a range of 0.2–15.4km effective radius must physically disrupt, i.e., macroscopically disintegrate, within their median dynamical...
We investigate the differential size–frequency distribution (SFD) of Jupiter Family Comets (JFCs) in order to determine whether they are primordial accreted objects or collisional fragments as suggested by current models of the evolution of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). We develop a list of effective radii and their uncertainties for 161 active JFCs from published sources and compute the observed...
We derive the spin state of the nucleus of Comet 103P/Hartley 2, its orientation in space, and its short-term temporal evolution from a mixture of observations taken from the DIXI (Deep Impact Extended Investigation) spacecraft and radar observations. The nucleus is found to spin in an excited long-axis mode (LAM) with its rotational angular momentum per unit mass, M, and rotational energy per unit...
We have studied the photometric properties of the nucleus of a hyperactive comet, 103P/Hartley 2, at visible wavelengths using the DIXI flyby images with both disk-integrated and disk-resolved analyses. The disk-integrated phase function of the nucleus has a linear slope of 0.046±0.002mag/deg and an absolute magnitude of 18.4±0.1 at V-band. The nucleus displays an overall linear, featureless spectrum...
We show that the unusual behavior of dust jets seen embedded in the sunward coma of 103P/Hartley 2 originate in active regions migrating over the two lobes of the nucleus following the Sun. The slowly changing orientation of the jets and their rapid changes in brightness is due to the shape and local topography of the nucleus coupled with the complex spin state. The intermittent appearance of a second...
We consider the origin of ∼380 quasi-circular depressions (pits) seen to be distributed in a broad band across the surface of 9P/Tempel 1 and show that possibly ∼96% may be due to outburst activity. Of the rest, <4%, are probably due to a mix of cryo-volcanic collapse events and collisional impacts with asteroidal material. We estimate the mass ejected during the June 14, 2005, mini-outburst on...
The photometric properties of the nucleus of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 as modeled from the Stardust-NExT images agree with those reported by Li et al. (Li, J.-Y. et al. [2007a]. Icarus 187, 41–55; Li, J.-Y., A’Hearn, M.F., McFadden, L.A., Belton, M.J.S. [2007b]. Icarus 188, 195–211) from Deep Impact images. No significant changes are detectable by comparing the two image-sets taken one comet year apart. The...
Data from the Extrasolar Planet Observation and Deep Impact Extended Investigation (EPOXI) mission show Comet 103P/Hartley 2 is a bi-lobed, elongated, nearly axially symmetric comet 2.33km in length. Surface features are primarily small mounds <40m across, irregularly-shaped smooth areas on the two lobes, and a smooth but variegated region forming a “waist” between the two lobes. Assuming parts...
The evolution of the spin rate of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 through two perihelion passages (in 2000 and 2005) is determined from 1922 Earth-based observations taken over a period of 13year as part of a World-Wide observing campaign and from 2888 observations taken over a period of 50 days from the Deep Impact spacecraft. We determine the following sidereal spin rates (periods): 209.023±0.025°/dy (41.335±0...
The properties of 50 jet and jet-filament outflows from 27 active areas observed on the four comet nuclei that have been visited by spacecraft (1P/Halley, 19P/Borrelly, 81P/Wild 2, and 9P/Tempel 1) are investigated and we propose a taxonomic categorization in which there are three types of active areas: Type I that is dominated by the sublimation of H 2 O through the porous mantle; Type II...
The Deep Impact mission discovered repetitive outbursts on Comet 9P/Tempel 1 and the presence of several smooth terrains on its surface. We present new measurements of the extent of the smooth terrains, the slopes along their centerlines, and the areas of their likely source regions. Our analysis of these features indicates that they are <700 orbits old and probably the result of an ongoing process...
Data on the UT 2005 June 14 mini-outburst of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 taken from different viewpoints have been examined for morphological differences and parallax. The data were taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), from the Deep Impact (DI) spacecraft, and from the Calar Alto Observatory, Spain. The mini-outburst source region was found to be located near 218±6E, 6±5N on the Deep Impact nucleus...
Images returned from the Deep Space 1 (DS-1) spacecraft during its encounter with Comet 19P/Borrelly are used to study its disk-integrated and disk-resolved photometry and its thermal properties. A disk-integrated phase function was constructed from a combination of DS-1 images and ground-based observations, giving a geometric albedo of 0.072±0.020 and a phase slope of 0.043 mag deg −1 . The...
We report on the Hubble Space Telescope program to observe periodic Comet 9P/Tempel 1 in conjunction with NASA's Deep Impact Mission. Our objectives were to study the generation and evolution of the coma resulting from the impact and to obtain wide-band images of the visual outburst generated by the impact. Two observing campaigns utilizing a total of 17 HST orbits were carried out: the first occurred...
We consider the hypothesis that the layering observed on the surface of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 from the Deep Impact spacecraft and identified on other comet nuclei imaged by spacecraft (i.e., 19P/Borrelly and 81P/Wild 2) is ubiquitous on Jupiter family cometary nuclei and is an essential element of their internal structure. The observational characteristics of the layers on 9P/Tempel 1 are detailed and...
Deep Impact images of the nucleus of Comet Tempel 1 reveal pervasive layering, possible impact craters, flows with smooth upper surfaces, and erosional stripping of material. There are at least 3 layers 50–200 m thick that appear to extend deep into the nucleus, and several layers 1–20 m thick that parallel the surface and are being eroded laterally. Circular depressions show geographical variation...
The photometric properties of the nucleus of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 are studied from the disk-resolved color images obtained by Deep Impact (DI). Comet Tempel 1 has typical photometric properties for comets and dark asteroids. The disk-integrated spectrum of the nucleus of Tempel 1 between 309 and 950 nm is linear without any features at the spectral resolution of the filtered images. At V-band, the red...
We report on the Hubble Space Telescope program to observe periodic Comet 9P/Tempel 1 in conjunction with NASA's Deep Impact Mission. Our objectives were to study the generation and evolution of the coma resulting from the impact and to obtain wide-band images of the visual outburst generated by the impact. Two observing campaigns utilizing a total of 17 HST orbits were carried out: the first occurred...
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