Modelling the evolution of Comet Siding Spring's activity using Herschel Space Observatory measurements
Abstract
Comet Siding Spring was observed with the Herschel Space Observatory in March 2013 at a heliocentric distance of 6.5 au, already showing siginficant activity. Using the far-infrared radial intensity profiles of the coma at 70, 100 and 160um we were able to construct a detailed model of the dust emission and costrain the dust properties. Our results show a significant overaboundance of large grains in the coma with a size frequency index of ~2. We were also able to estimate the activity onset time: this likely happened at a helicentric distance of ~8 au, six months before the Herschel observations.
- Publication:
-
IAU General Assembly
- Pub Date:
- August 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015IAUGA..2258216K