The dust tail of the distant comet C/1999 J2 (Skiff)
Abstract
CCD observations of comet C/1999 J2 (Skiff) were made at the Pik Terskol Observatory on September 15, 1999. The 2-m telescope equipped with the two- channel focal reducer of the Max-Plank-Institute for Aeronomy has been used to study the cometary environment. In spite of large heliocentric distance, 7.24 A.U., a straight narrow dust tail with fairly well defined boundaries was recorded. This provides a unique opportunity to study the peculiarity of dust, which is not driven by water vapour. To fit the dust tail a Monte Carlo model was developed. We trace the trajectories of about 107 sample grains to construct the detailed brightness distribution in the comet tail. The simulated isophote field and the observed one agree very well. In our model we also take into account the heliocentric dependence of the dust production rate and ejection velocity, and the dust ejection anisotropy. To transform the particle distribution to brightness in the modeled tail we calculate the scattering cross section of the individual particles using Mie theory. The age, the ejection velocity, the dust-loss distribution, and the size distribution of the dust particles have been derived from the model giving the best fit. The intensity map is in agreement with icy grains.
- Publication:
-
34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002cosp...34E1594K