Narrowband Photometry and Imaging of Deep Impact Target Comet 9P/Tempel 1 at Las Campanas Observatory
Abstract
We present updated results from observations of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the 2005 Deep Impact Mission. During this mission, a 370kg copper projectile, designed to penetrate the mantle of 9P/Tempel 1, impacted the comet's surface on July 4, 2005. We will show images of the comet taken with the 2.5m DuPont telescope at Las Campanas Observatory from July 3 to July 10, 2005 using the narrowband Hale-Bopp filters CN, C-2, and two dust continuum filters, BC and GC. In addition, we will present gas and dust production rates of the comet during this timeframe. Our results demonstrate an increase in the comet's activity due to the impact. Higher production rates of gas and dust, together with changes in the gas morphology, were observed for several days following impact. By 5 days post-impact, the gas and dust production rates returned to their pre-impact values. A more in-depth analysis of the data, which will provide us with updated results, will be presented.
- Publication:
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AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #38
- Pub Date:
- September 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006DPS....38.2803M