NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
An Idealized Short Period Comet Model: Surface Insolation, H2O Flux, Dust Flux and Mantle EvolutionThe present cometary activity model integrates feedback processes that involve the transport of heat, gas, and dust, as well as dust mantle development, and includes the effects of latitude, rotation, and spin orientation. Attention is given to the development, structural change, and distribution of dust mantles and their mutual interaction with ice surface temperature and gas and dust production. The results obtained suggest that an initially homogeneous, short period comet with a cosmic dust to water ice ratio, as well as typical orbit, rotation rate, and grain size distribution, would develop only a thin, less than 1 mm cyclic mantle at all points on the nucleus. Most H2O dust histories deduced from brightness data are noted to be in reasonable agreement with the model, allowing for uncertainty in radius and albedo. The exceptional case of Comet Encke is discussed.
Document ID
19850015193
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Fanale, F. P.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Salvail, J. R.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23504
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available