Comet Kopff - A case for mantle development

Comet Kopff was observed during its 1983 apparition. Intensified Dissector Scanner (IDS) spectra were obtained mapping the distribution of the gases in the coma. The comet appears to have a preperihelion brightness maximum in monochromatic light. This result is shown to be model independent. These data are consistent with a partial mantle developing due to the high obliquity of the comet.