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Constraints on the nucleus and dust properties from mid-infrared imaging of comet HyakutakeWe use Mie scattering theory to determine the expected thermal emission from dust grains in cometary comae and apply these results to mid-infrared images of comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2) obtained preperihelion in 1996 March. Calculations were performed for dust grains in the size range from 0.1 to 10 micrometers for two different compositions: amorphous olivine (a silicate glass) and an organic residue mixture. The resulting emission efficiencies are complicated functions of wavelength and particle size and are significantly different for the two materials in question. The Hyakutake data set consists of three nights of high-resolution imaging (100-150 km pixel-1 at the comet) of the inner coma at 8.7, 11.7, 12.5, and 19.7 micrometers. Attempts to fit the observed colors (ratios of fluxes at different wavelengths) using a single grain composition failed. However, fits to the data were achieved for all three nights using a mixture of approximately 1 micrometer olivine grains and approximately 7 micrometers organic grains. The resulting olivine mass fraction was between 8% and 16% of the total dust mass-loss rate. We also estimate the radius of the nucleus to be r = 2.1 +/- 0.4 km.
Document ID
20040089264
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Sarmecanic, J.
(University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0424, United States)
Fomenkova, M.
Jones, B.
Lavezzi, T.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical journal
Volume: 483
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology

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