On the Structure of the Leonid Stream, III. The Formation and Development of the Leonid Stream
Abstract
Varidus features of the Leonid stream discussed in the previous papers are summarized and basing on them evolution process of the stream is considered. Judging from their density distribution and other facts the main swarm and the scattered part of the Leonid stream may be concluded to be of common origin. Assuming the age of the Leonids to be 1.0-1.8x 10 years and taking the density distribution along the orbit into account, the ejection velocity from a comet is estimated to be of an order of 10-2 km/sec, accordingly it is regarded as quite reasonable to suppose that the general frame work of the Leonid stream came out by the ejection process. The fact that the magnitude distribution in the scattered part in directions perpendicular to the orbit is nearly constant shows that diffusion of the stream may be an effect of the planetary perturbations.
- Publication:
-
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
- Pub Date:
- 1961
- Bibcode:
- 1961PASJ...13..212M