Observation of a rapid decrease in the brightness of the coma of 2060 Chiron in 1990 January

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185906· OSTI ID:6257185

Buratti, B J; Dunbar, R S ^[1]

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1. Palomar Observatory, Pasadena, CA (USA)

Photometric observations of 2060 Chiron in the V and R filters were obtained with the 1.5-m telescope on Palomar Mountain during a 7-hr period on January 20, 1990 (UT). A general decrease of about 10 percent in integrated brightness occurred in both filters. No color dependence to the decrease was observed. A small (about 0.02 mag) rotational light curve, far smaller than the 0.09 mag (peak-to-peak) one observed by Bus et al. (1989) is superposed on the general decrease. On January 29, 1990, Luu and Jewitt (1990) observed an impulsive brightening of Chiron of approximately the same magnitude and time scale as the presently observed decrease in brightness. The combined results provide evidence that Chiron is currently exhibiting short-term fluctuations in the brightness of its coma, in addition to its well-established general decrease in brightness. 14 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6257185
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 366; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BRIGHTNESS
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
COMETS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
VARIATIONS