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An outburst of comet Tempel-2 observed spectrophotometricallyPeriodic comet Tempel-2, first discovered in 1873, is a possible target of a spacecraft flyby in the 1980s. Accurate physical measurements of this comet have only recently been attempted. Few spectrophotometric data exist for any faint comet, but such data are presented for Tempel-2 at a heliocentric distance of 2.97 AU. The data were obtained during an outburst in which the comet exhibited heightened CN and C3 emission over a quiescent phase. Comet flares of such magnitude are exceptional and are particularly surprising for a periodic comet at such a large heliocentric distance.
Document ID
19810035270
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Johnson, P. E.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Smith, D. W.
(Washington, University Seattle, Wash., United States)
Shorthill, R. W.
(Utah, University Salt Lake City, Utah, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 15, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 289
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
81A19674
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-49-002-142
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-BT-708801
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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