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Comet Bradfield 1979 X - The gassiest cometThe Comet Bradfield 1979 X provided the most recent opportunity to obtain quantitative photometric data on a comet. Although the comet was not unusually luminous, its very close approach to earth made it possible to observe it from the time of discovery at a heliocentric distance of just over 0.5 AU until it was beyond 1.5 AU from the Sun. The observations conducted are discussed along with aspects of data reduction. It was found that the OH production of comets can be experimentally studied on the basis of a routine procedure. The Comet Bradfield 1979 X was one of the gassiest comets ever observed, comparable to Comet P/Encke. The production rates of all molecular species were found to decline sharply with heliocentric distance.
Document ID
19820029158
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Ahearn, M. F.
(Maryland, University College Park, MD, United States)
Birch, P. V.
(Perth Observatory Perth, Australia)
Millis, R. L.
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomical Journal
Volume: 86
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
82A12693
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-03-003-001
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7322
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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