The Size Distribution of Jupiter-Family Cometary NucleiIntroduction: We are continuing our program to determine the size distribution of cometary nuclei. We have compiled a catalog of 105 measurements of 57 cometary nuclei, drawn from the general literature, from our own program of CCD photometry of distant cometary nuclei (Lowry and Weissman), and from unpublished observations by colleagues. We model the cumulative size distribution of the nuclei as a power law. Previous determinations of the size distribution slope do not agree. Fernandez et al. found a slope of alpha = 2.65+/-0.25 whereas Lowry et al. and Weissman and Lowry each found a slope of alpha = 1.60+/-0.10.
Document ID
20030110858
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Weissman, Paul R. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lowry, Stephen C. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)