Infrared Observations Of Dust Emission From Comet Hale-Bopp
Abstract
We present infrared imaging and photometry of the bright, giant comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). The comet was observed in an extended infrared and optical observing campaign in 1996 1997. The infrared morphology of the comet was observed to change from the 6 to 8 jet “porcupine” structure in 1996 to the “pinwheel” structure seen in 1997; this has implications for the position of the rotational angular momentum vector. Long term light curves taken at 11.3 μm indicate a dust production rate that varies with heliocentric distance as ∶ r-1.4. Short term light curves taken at perihelion indicate a rotational periodicity of 11.3 hours and a projected dust outflow speed of ∶ 0.4 km s-1. The spectral energy distribution of the dust on October 31, 1996 is well modeled by a mixture of 70% silicaceous and 30% carbonaceous non-porous grains, with a small particle dominated size distribution like that seen for comet P/Halley (McDonnell et al., 1991), an overall dust production rate of 2 × 105 kg s-1, a dust-to-gas ratio of ∶5, and an albedo of 39%.
- Publication:
-
Earth Moon and Planets
- Pub Date:
- July 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1023/A:1006261303055
- Bibcode:
- 1997EM&P...78..251L
- Keywords:
-
- Comets;
- infrared;
- radio;
- rotation;
- surfaces;
- origin