Pre-perihelion observations of Comet Halley at 2-13 micronsBetween Nov. 8, 1985 and Jan. 13, 1986 comet Halley brightness was obtained as a function of time at 2.3, 3.6, 4.6, and 10.3 microns. Brightness outbursts were noted, an especially significant one beginning Jan. 10, 1986 and persisting for several days during which the IR brightness more than doubled. The heliocentric brightness indices for 2.3, 3.6, 4.6, and 10.3 microns are -5.7, -7.1, -8.5, and -6.2, respectively. Comet Halley's absolute magnitudes at these wavelengths are 7.3, 4.4, 2.8, and -1.8. The 4.6 to 10.3 micron color temperature dependence on heliocentric distance (R) is slightly less steep than the Rsup -1/2 expected theoretically. The albedo of the comet is 8% to 9%. Based on spectral differences between outbursts on Nov. 8, 1985 and Jan. 10 to 13, 1986, it is concluded that the comet displays composition inhomogeneities.
Document ID
19870017371
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lynch, David K. (Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Russell, Ray W. (Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Retig, David A. (Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Rice, Carl J. (Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Young, Robert M. (Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, Proceedings of the 20th ESLAB Symposium on the Exploration of Halley's Comet. Volume 3: Posters