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Modeling the nucleus and jets of comet 81P/Wild 2 based on the Stardust encounter dataWe interpret the nucleus properties and jet activity from the Stardust spacecraft imaging and the onboard dust monitoring system data. Triangulation of 20 jets shows that 2 emanate from the nucleus dark side and 16 emanate from sources that are on slopes where the Sun's elevation is greater than predicted from the fitted triaxial ellipsoid. Seven sources, including five in the Mayo depression, coincide with relatively bright surface spots. Fitting the imaged jets, the spikelike temporal distribution of dust impacts indicates that the spacecraft crossed thin, densely populated sheets of particulate ejecta extending from small sources on the rotating nucleus, consistent with an emission cone model.
Document ID
20050152618
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Sekanina, Zdenek
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Brownlee, Donald E.
Economou, Thanasis E.
Tuzzolino, Anthony J.
Green, Simon F.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
June 18, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 304
Issue: 5678
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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