Observations and Interpretation of the Fragments on Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake)
Abstract
From J H K observations of the comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) performed during the period around its perigee (March 20-31) at least three fragments, moving in the projected direction of tail, have been detected. Here we will present fragments motion a properties and we will show that they are probably swarms of large particles released by the breakup of fine crust that are subsequently accelerated in the tail direction by solar radiation pressure. We will show that the average particle dimension is larger than the observing wavelengths and we will derive also the particle radii distribution.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #28
- Pub Date:
- June 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996DPS....28.0907T