Infrared color gradient in the inner coma of Comet Halley

Journal Article · Tue Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1989 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(89)90069-9· OSTI ID:6030985

Campins, H; Rieke, M J; Rieke, G H

A well-defined gradient is noted in the J-H and H-K colors of near-IR images obtained for Comet Halley in November, 1985, within about 8000 km of the nucleus; the bluest colors are at the photocenter, in conjunction with surface brightness profiles that are steeper than those expected. The color gradient and the brightness profiles are both explainable by the present analysis in terms of the presence of volatile, dirty-ice grains in the inner coma. An outburst of Rayleigh-scattering dust particles (unsupported by spacecraft measurements obtained to date) may also account for the observational data. 27 references.

• Research Organization: Science Applications International Corp., Tucson, AZ (USA); Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6030985
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 78; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
COHERENT SCATTERING
COLOR
COMETS
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HALLEY COMET
ICE
IMAGES
INFRARED RADIATION
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PARTICLE SIZE
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RAYLEIGH SCATTERING
SCATTERING
SIZE