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Lyman-alpha imagery of Comet KohoutekElectrographic imagery of Comet Kohoutek in the 1100-1500 A wavelength range was obtained from a sounding rocket on Jan. 8, 1974, and from the Skylab space station on 13 occasions between Nov. 26, 1973 and Feb. 2, 1974. These images are predominantly due to Lyman-alpha (1216 A) emission from the hydrogen coma of the comet. The rocket pictures have been calibrated for absolute sensitivity and a hydrogen production rate has been determined. However, the Skylab camera suffered degradation of its sensitivity during the mission, and its absolute sensitivity for each observation can only be estimated by comparison of the comet images with those taken by the rocket camera, with imagery of the geocoronal Lyman-alpha glow, of the moon in reflected Lyman-alpha, and of ultraviolet-bright stars. The rocket and geocoronal comparisons are used to derive a preliminary, qualitative history of the development of the cometary hydrogen coma and the associated hydrogen production rate.
Document ID
19750035658
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Carruthers, G. R.
Opal, C. B.
Page, T. L.
Meier, R. R.
Prinz, D. K.
(U.S. Navy, E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research, Washington D.C., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 23
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
75A19730
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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