A three-dimensional model of the nucleus of Comet Halley
Abstract
The nucleus of comet Halley was observed by the Halley Multicolour Camera (HMC) during the last minutes of the fly-by sequence before reaching the point of closest approach. The phase angle change during the observational period was less than 17°. HMC data can thus only define a two-dimensional contour of the nucleus at a certain time. The authors will outline the overall geometry during the HMC observations and relate the findings to information available from other sources at different times. The nucleus of the comet will be described as a tri-axial ellipsoid with major axes of 16, 10 and 9 km. The rotation axis was directed towards δ1950 = -(40±5)° and α1950 = (50±10°). The rotation with a period of P = (54±1) h was in a prograde sense with respect to the orbital motion.
- Publication:
-
ESLAB Symposium on the Exploration of Halley's Comet
- Pub Date:
- December 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986ESASP.250b.367W
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Comet Nuclei;
- Giotto Mission;
- Halley'S Comet;
- Three Dimensional Models;
- Axes Of Rotation;
- Morphology;
- Periodic Variations;
- Astrophysics;
- ASTRONOMICAL MODELS;
- COMET NUCLEI;
- GIOTTO MISSION;
- HALLEY'S COMET;
- THREE DIMENSIONAL MODELS;
- AXES OF ROTATION;
- MORPHOLOGY;
- PERIODIC VARIATIONS