Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake)
Abstract
C. Lisse, M. Mumma, and R. Petre, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; and K. Dennerl, J. Englhauser, J. Schmitt, and J. Truemper, Max-Planck-Institut fur Extraterrestrische Physik, Garching, communicate: "Comet C/1996 B2 was observed after its perihelion passage with the ROSAT High Resolution Imager from June 22.10 to 23.77 UT (when Delta = 1.16 AU, r = 1.35 AU, and visual m1 = 7.1) for 8900 s. The image, corrected for the proper motion of the comet, shows an extended source with a radial extent of at least 8' (400 000 km). The peak surface brightness was at 0.002 count sE-1 arcminE-2, approximately a factor of 5 lower than during the previous ROSAT observations in March (IAUC 6373). The reacquisition of C/1996 B2 after perihelion confirms the continuous behavior of x-ray emission in the comet. ROSAT will continue to observe the comet until Sept. 8. The scheduled observation times will be posted at URL http://www.rosat.mpe-garching.mpg.de/~jer/comets/; simultaneous observations at other wavelengths (especially extreme ultraviolet and radio) are encouraged."
- Publication:
-
International Astronomical Union Circular
- Pub Date:
- July 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996IAUC.6433....2L