Comet P/Halley: visual magnitude estimates and gas production.
Abstract
Error sources in visual magnitude estimates of P/Halley were removed by a rigid selection procedure. From the remaining sample, brightness laws of two different types are deduced. Studies of molecular production rates and their changes during the 1985 to 1986 apparition of P/Halley are compared with these laws in order to obtain formulas transforming visual magnitude estimates directly into production rates, especially OH. Inconsistencies between different studies could not be reconciled, so only vague conclusions are possible. The dust content of a comet is cited as a potentially complicating factor in obtaining a simple law.
- Publication:
-
Diversity and Similarity of Comets
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987ESASP.278..599F
- Keywords:
-
- Halley'S Comet;
- Magnitude;
- Outgassing;
- Visible Spectrum;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Error Analysis;
- Hydroxyl Radicals;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Comet 1986 III Halley;
- Comets:CN;
- Comets:HCN;
- Comets:OH;
- Comets:Visual Magnitudes