Photometry of Comet p/ Halley from 40-MICRONS to 160-MICRONS
Abstract
Far infrared photometry of comet P/Halley was obtained from NASA's Kuiper Airborne Observatory. A preliminary analysis of the observations shows the following results: (1) The brightness of the comet decreased by nearly a factor of two on the second day, in phase with the variability observed in blue light by IUE during the same time period. (2) The energy distribution varied marginally with a shallower (cooler) spectrum on the second day. (3) Observations centered 30" and 60" away from the nuclear condensation show lower 50-100 μm color temperatures on both dates. This is consistent with spacecraft observations which indicate a higher proportion of large particles away from the nucleus.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987A&A...187..632C