Dust evolution from cometsThe studies of the evolution of cometary debris are reviewed. The subject is divided into three major sections: (1) the developments in the immediate vicinity of the cometary nucleus, which is the source of the dust; (2) the formation of the dust tail; and (3) the blending of the debris with the dust component of interplanetary matter. The importance of the physical theory of comets is emphasized for the understanding of the early phase of the evolution of cometary dust. A physico-dynamical model designed to analyze the particle-emission mechanism from the distribution of light in the dust tails is described and the results are presented. Increased attention is paid to large particles because of their importance for the evolution of the zodiacal cloud. Finally, implications are discussed for the future in situ investigations of comets.
Document ID
19780034253
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Sekanina, Z. (Harvard College Observatory and Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge Mass., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1977
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Symposium on Minor Constituents and Excited Species