Analysis of Hubble Space Telescope Observations of an Outburst of Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
Abstract
We present results of a continuing analysis on the spin state of the enigmatic Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 (SW1). Previous works have reported possible constraints on the spin state including a non-principal axis state [1] or a rotation period of tens of days [2]. This diversity of published answers highlights the complexity of determining the spin state of an active comet nucleus. Previous work by our group using 3D Monte Carlo coma modeling of ground-based outburst observations from 2008 [3] has placed constraints on the spin period for a set of assumed spin-pole orientations. Due to the nature of the 2008 outburst morphology no constraints on the spin-pole orientation could be found.We present here an analysis of Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 observations of SW1 shortly after a 1996 outburst [4] with which we have further constrained the spin state. The 0.046-arcsec/pixel scale (176 km/pixel at SW1) of the PC detector gives an order-of-magnitude improvement in spatial resolution over our ground-based observations. Two sets of observations from UT 1996 Mar. 11.3 and 12.1 show the ejected dust forming an asymmetric outflow contained on the sunward side of the coma. A projected outflow velocity of 0.15 ± 0.02 km/s was measured, similar to our measured value from the 2008 observations. Enhancements of the images were performed [5] to bring out subtle variations in coma brightness (i.e., jets) and to allow us to search for signatures of the nucleus' rotation during the outburst. Three curved features are seen in both sets of observations and were modeled using the 3D Monte Carlo coma model [6]. We find a spin period on the order of several days, in agreement with our earlier 2008 analysis.[1] Meech, K. J., et al.: 1993, Astron. J., 106, 1222. [2] Miles, R., et al.: 2016, Icarus, 272, 327. [3] Schambeau, C. A., et al.: 2016, Icarus, submitted. [4] Feldman, P. D., et al.: 1996, AAS/DPS Meeting Abstracts, 28, 1084. [5] Samarasinha, N. and Larson, S.: 2014, Icarus, 239, 168. [6] Samarasinha, N. H., 2000, Astron. J. Letters, 529, L107-L110. We thank the Space Telescope Science Institute (AR14294), and the Center for Lunar and Asteroid Surface Science (CLASS, NNA14AB05A) for support of this work.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #48
- Pub Date:
- October 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016DPS....4830103S