Author: "Kramm , J.-R." / Publisher: univ bern, phys inst, sidlerstr 5, ch-3012 bern, switzerland. - Searchworks@Jio Institute Digital Library Search Results

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41 results on '"Kramm , J.-R."'

1. Summer fireworks on comet 67P

Author: Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: During its 2 yr mission around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft had the unique opportunity to follow closely a comet in the most active part of its orbit. Many studies have presented the typical features associated with the activity of the nucleus, such as localized dust and gas jets. Here, we report on series of more energetic transient events observed during the 3 months surrounding the comet's perihelion passage in 2015 August. We detected and characterized 34 outbursts with the Rosetta cameras, one every 2.4 nucleus rotations. We identified three main dust plume morphologies associated with these events: a narrow jet, a broad fan, and more complex plumes featuring both previous types together. These plumes are comparable in scale and temporal variation to what has been observed on other comets. We present a map of the outbursts' source locations, and discuss the associated topography. We find that the spatial distribution sources on the nucleus correlate well with morphological region boundaries, especially in areas marked by steep scarps or cliffs. Outbursts occur either in the early morning or shortly after the local noon, indicating two potential processes: morning outbursts may be triggered by thermal stresses linked to the rapid change of temperature; afternoon events are most likely related to the diurnal or seasonal heat wave reaching volatiles buried under the first surface layer. In addition, we propose that some events can be the result of a completely different mechanism, in which most of the dust is released upon the collapse of a cliff.
Published: 2016
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2. Sublimation of icy aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected with the OSIRIS cameras on board Rosetta

Author: Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Beginning in 2014 March, the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) cameras began capturing images of the nucleus and coma (gas and dust) of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using both the wide angle camera (WAC) and the narrow angle camera (NAC). The many observations taken since July of 2014 have been used to study the morphology, location, and temporal variation of the comet's dust jets. We analysed the dust monitoring observations shortly after the southern vernal equinox on 2015 May 30 and 31 with the WAC at the heliocentric distance R-h = 1.53 AU, where it is possible to observe that the jet rotates with the nucleus. We found that the decline of brightness as a function of the distance of the jet is much steeper than the background coma, which is a first indication of sublimation. We adapted a model of sublimation of icy aggregates and studied the effect as a function of the physical properties of the aggregates (composition and size). The major finding of this paper was that through the sublimation of the aggregates of dirty grains (radius a between 5 and 50 mu m) we were able to completely reproduce the radial brightness profile of a jet beyond 4 km from the nucleus. To reproduce the data, we needed to inject a number of aggregates between 8.5 x 10(13) and 8.5 x 10(10) for a = 5 and 50 mu m, respectively, or an initial mass of H2O ice around 22 kg.
Published: 2016
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3. The 2016 Feb 19 outburst of comet 67P/CG : an ESA Rosetta multi-instrument study

Author: Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., Zakharov, V. V., Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., and Zakharov, V. V.
Abstract: On 2016 Feb 19, nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in situ gas, dust and plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 09: 40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature of the outburst that significantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50 per cent of the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors > 100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus. Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest enhancements (factors > 10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3 and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from similar to-16 V to -20 V during the outburst. A clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta ( 34 km from the nucleus): within 15 min the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles (similar to 25 m s(-1)) while 100 mu m radius particles were detected by the GIADA dust instrument similar to 1 h later at a speed of 6 m s(-1). The slowest were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the outburst could be determined.
Published: 2016
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4. Comparative study of water ice exposures on cometary nuclei using multispectral imaging data

Author: Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Deep Impact, EPOXI and Rosetta missions visited comets 9P/Tempel 1, 103P/Hartley 2 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. Each of these three missions was equipped with both multispectral imagers and infrared spectrometers. Bright blue features containing water ice were detected in each of these comet nuclei. We analysed multispectral properties of enriched water ice features observed via Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System narrow angle camera on comet 67P in the wavelength range of 260-1000 nm and then compared with multispectral data of water ice deposits observed on comets 9P and 103P. We characterize the UV/VIS properties of water-ice-rich features observed on the nuclei of these three comets. When compared to the average surface of each comet, our analysis shows that the water ice deposits seen on comet 9P are similar to the clustered water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P, while the water ice deposit seen on comet 103P is more akin to two large isolated water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P. Our results indicate that the water ice deposit observed on comet 103P contains more water ice than the water-ice-rich features observed on comets 9P and 67P, proportionally to the average surface of each nucleus.
Published: 2016
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5. The Agilkia boulders/pebbles size-frequency distributions : OSIRIS and ROLIS joint observations of 67P surface

Author: Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. B., Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. B.
Abstract: By using the images acquired by the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System) and ROLIS (ROsetta Lander Imaging System) cameras, we derive the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of cometary pebbles and boulders covering the size range 0.05-30.0 m on the Agilkia landing site. The global SFD measured on OSIRIS images, reflects the different properties of the multiple morphological units present on Agilkia, combined with selection effects related to lifting, transport and redeposition. Contrarily, the different ROLIS SFD derived on the smooth and rough units may be related to their different regolith thickness present on Agilkia. In the thicker, smoother layer, ROLIS mainly measures the SFD of the airfall population which almost completely obliterates the signature of underlying boulders up to a size of the order of 1 m. This is well matched by the power-law index derived analysing coma particles identified by the grain analyser Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator. This result confirms the important blanketing dynamism of Agilkia. The steeper SFD observed in rough terrains from 0.4 to 2 m could point out intrinsic differences between northern and southern dust size distributions, or it may suggest that the underlying boulders 'peek through' the thinner airfall layer in the rough terrain, thereby producing the observed excess in the decimetre size range. Eventually, the OSIRIS SFD performed on the Philae landing unit may be due to water sublimation from a static population of boulders, affecting smaller boulders before the bigger ones, thus shallowing the original SFD.
Published: 2016
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6. Geologic mapping of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Northern hemisphere

Author: Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS), the scientific imaging system onboard the Rosetta mission, has been acquiring images of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since 2014 August with a resolution which allows a detailed analysis of its surface. Indeed, data reveal a complex surface morphology which is likely the expression of different processes which occurred at different times on the cometary nucleus. In order to characterize these different morphologies and better understand their distribution, we performed a geologic mapping of comet's 67P Northern hemisphere in which features have been distinguished based on their morphological, textural and stratigraphic characteristics. For this purpose, we used narrow-angle camera images acquired in 2014 August and September with a spatial scale ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 m pixel(-1). Several different geologic units have been identified on the basis of their different surface textures, granulometry and morphology. Some of these units are distinctive and localized, whereas others are more common and distributed all over the Northern hemisphere. Moreover, different types of linear features have been distinguished on the basis of their morphology. Some of these lineaments have never been observed before on a comet and can offer important clues on the internal structures of the nucleus itself. The geologic mapping results presented here will allow us to better understand the processes which affected the nucleus' surface and thus the origin and evolutionary history of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Published: 2016
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7. Acceleration of individual, decimetre-sized aggregates in the lower coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Author: Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., and Thomas, N.
Abstract: We present observations of decimetre-sized, likely ice-containing aggregates ejected from a confined region on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The images were obtained with the narrow angle camera of the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the Rosetta spacecraft in 2016 January when the comet was at 2 au from the Sun outbound from perihelion. We measure the acceleration of individual aggregates through a 2 h image series. Approximately 50 per cent of the aggregates are accelerated away from the nucleus, and 50 per cent towards it, and likewise towards either horizontal direction. The accelerations are up to one order of magnitude stronger than local gravity, and are most simply explained by the combined effect of gas drag accelerating all aggregates upwards, and the recoil force from asymmetric outgassing, either from rotating aggregates with randomly oriented spin axes and sufficient thermal inertia to shift the temperature maximum away from an aggregate's subsolar region, or from aggregates with variable ice content. At least 10 per cent of the aggregates will escape the gravity field of the nucleus and feed the comet's debris trail, while others may fall back to the surface and contribute to the deposits covering parts of the Northern hemisphere. The rocket force plays a crucial role in pushing these aggregates back towards the surface. Our observations show the future back fall material in the process of ejection, and provide the first direct measurement of the acceleration of aggregates in the innermost coma (<2 km) of a comet, where gas drag is still significant.
Published: 2016
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8. Decimetre-scaled spectrophotometric properties of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations

Author: Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: We present the results of the photometric and spectrophotometric properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus derived with the Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System instrument during the closest fly-by over the comet, which took place on 2015 February 14 at a distance of similar to 6 km from the surface. Several images covering the 0 degrees-33 degrees. phase angle range were acquired, and the spatial resolution achieved was 11 cm pixel(-1). The flown-by region is located on the big lobe of the comet, near the borders of the Ash, Apis and Imhotep regions. Our analysis shows that this region features local heterogeneities at the decimetre scale. We observed difference of reflectance up to 40 per cent between bright spots and sombre regions, and spectral slope variations up to 50 per cent. The spectral reddening effect observed globally on the comet surface by Fornasier et al. (2015) is also observed locally on this region, but with a less steep behaviour. We note that numerous metre-sized boulders, which exhibit a smaller opposition effect, also appear spectrally redder than their surroundings. In this region, we found no evidence linking observed bright spots to exposed water-ice-rich material. We fitted our data set using the Hapke 2008 photometric model. The region overflown is globally as dark as the whole nucleus (geometric albedo of 6.8 per cent) and it has a high porosity value in the uppermost layers (86 per cent). These results of the photometric analysis at a decimetre scale indicate that the photometric properties of the flown-by region are similar to those previously found for the whole nucleus.
Published: 2016
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9. The global shape, density and rotation of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from preperihelion Rosetta/OSIRIS observations

Author: Jorda, L., Gaskell, R., Capanna, C., Hviid, S., Lamy, P., Durech, J., Faury, G., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P., Jackman, C., Keihm, S. J., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kuehrt, E., Marchi, S., Mottola, S., Palmer, E., Schloerb, F. P., Sierks, H., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Barbieri, C., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Guettler, C., Ip, W. -H, Kramm, J. R., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Wenzel, K-P, Jorda, L., Gaskell, R., Capanna, C., Hviid, S., Lamy, P., Durech, J., Faury, G., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P., Jackman, C., Keihm, S. J., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kuehrt, E., Marchi, S., Mottola, S., Palmer, E., Schloerb, F. P., Sierks, H., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Barbieri, C., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Guettler, C., Ip, W. -H, Kramm, J. R., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Wenzel, K-P
Abstract: The Rosetta spacecraft reached Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (hereafter 67P/C-G) in August 2014 at an heliocentric distance of 3.6 a.u. and was then put in orbit around its nucleus to perform detailed observations. Among the collected data are the images acquired by the OSIRIS instrument up to the perihelion passage of the comet in August 2015, which allowed us to map the entire nucleus surface at high-resolution in the visible. Stereophotoclinometry methods have been used to reconstruct a global high-resolution shape model and to monitor its rotational parameters using data collected up to perihelion. The nucleus has a conspicuous bilobate shape with overall dimensions along its principal axes of (4.34 +/- 0.02) x (2.60 +/- 0.02) x (2.12 +/- 0.06) km. The best-fit ellipsoid dimensions of the individual lobes along their principal axes of inertia are found to be 4.10 x 3.52 x 1.63 km and 2.50 x 2.14 x 1.641cm. Their volume amounts to 66% and 27% of the total volume of the nucleus. The two lobes are connected by a "neck" whose volume has been estimated to represent similar to 7% of the total volume of the comet. Combining the derived volume of 18.8 +/- 0.3 km(3) with the mass of 9.982 +/- 0.003 x 10(12) kg determined by the Rosetta/RSI experiment, we obtained a bulk density of the nucleus of 532 +/- 7 kg m(-3). Together with the companion value of 535 35 kg m-3 deduced from the stereophotogrammetry shape model of the nucleus (Preusker et al. [2015] Astron. Astrophys. 583, A33), these constitute the first reliable and most accurate determination of the density of a cometary nucleus to date. The calculated porosity is quite large, ranging approximately from 70% to 75% depending upon the assumed density of the dust grains and the dust-to-ice mass ratio. The nature of the porosity, either micro or macro or both, remains unconstrained. The coordinates of the center of gravity are not compatible with a uniform nucleus density. The direction of the offset between the cent
Published: 2016
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10. Summer fireworks on comet 67P

Author: Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: During its 2 yr mission around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft had the unique opportunity to follow closely a comet in the most active part of its orbit. Many studies have presented the typical features associated with the activity of the nucleus, such as localized dust and gas jets. Here, we report on series of more energetic transient events observed during the 3 months surrounding the comet's perihelion passage in 2015 August. We detected and characterized 34 outbursts with the Rosetta cameras, one every 2.4 nucleus rotations. We identified three main dust plume morphologies associated with these events: a narrow jet, a broad fan, and more complex plumes featuring both previous types together. These plumes are comparable in scale and temporal variation to what has been observed on other comets. We present a map of the outbursts' source locations, and discuss the associated topography. We find that the spatial distribution sources on the nucleus correlate well with morphological region boundaries, especially in areas marked by steep scarps or cliffs. Outbursts occur either in the early morning or shortly after the local noon, indicating two potential processes: morning outbursts may be triggered by thermal stresses linked to the rapid change of temperature; afternoon events are most likely related to the diurnal or seasonal heat wave reaching volatiles buried under the first surface layer. In addition, we propose that some events can be the result of a completely different mechanism, in which most of the dust is released upon the collapse of a cliff.
Published: 2016
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11. Summer fireworks on comet 67P

Author: Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: During its 2 yr mission around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft had the unique opportunity to follow closely a comet in the most active part of its orbit. Many studies have presented the typical features associated with the activity of the nucleus, such as localized dust and gas jets. Here, we report on series of more energetic transient events observed during the 3 months surrounding the comet's perihelion passage in 2015 August. We detected and characterized 34 outbursts with the Rosetta cameras, one every 2.4 nucleus rotations. We identified three main dust plume morphologies associated with these events: a narrow jet, a broad fan, and more complex plumes featuring both previous types together. These plumes are comparable in scale and temporal variation to what has been observed on other comets. We present a map of the outbursts' source locations, and discuss the associated topography. We find that the spatial distribution sources on the nucleus correlate well with morphological region boundaries, especially in areas marked by steep scarps or cliffs. Outbursts occur either in the early morning or shortly after the local noon, indicating two potential processes: morning outbursts may be triggered by thermal stresses linked to the rapid change of temperature; afternoon events are most likely related to the diurnal or seasonal heat wave reaching volatiles buried under the first surface layer. In addition, we propose that some events can be the result of a completely different mechanism, in which most of the dust is released upon the collapse of a cliff.
Published: 2016
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12. Comparative study of water ice exposures on cometary nuclei using multispectral imaging data

Author: Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Deep Impact, EPOXI and Rosetta missions visited comets 9P/Tempel 1, 103P/Hartley 2 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. Each of these three missions was equipped with both multispectral imagers and infrared spectrometers. Bright blue features containing water ice were detected in each of these comet nuclei. We analysed multispectral properties of enriched water ice features observed via Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System narrow angle camera on comet 67P in the wavelength range of 260-1000 nm and then compared with multispectral data of water ice deposits observed on comets 9P and 103P. We characterize the UV/VIS properties of water-ice-rich features observed on the nuclei of these three comets. When compared to the average surface of each comet, our analysis shows that the water ice deposits seen on comet 9P are similar to the clustered water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P, while the water ice deposit seen on comet 103P is more akin to two large isolated water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P. Our results indicate that the water ice deposit observed on comet 103P contains more water ice than the water-ice-rich features observed on comets 9P and 67P, proportionally to the average surface of each nucleus.
Published: 2016
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13. Sublimation of icy aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected with the OSIRIS cameras on board Rosetta

Author: Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Beginning in 2014 March, the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) cameras began capturing images of the nucleus and coma (gas and dust) of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using both the wide angle camera (WAC) and the narrow angle camera (NAC). The many observations taken since July of 2014 have been used to study the morphology, location, and temporal variation of the comet's dust jets. We analysed the dust monitoring observations shortly after the southern vernal equinox on 2015 May 30 and 31 with the WAC at the heliocentric distance R-h = 1.53 AU, where it is possible to observe that the jet rotates with the nucleus. We found that the decline of brightness as a function of the distance of the jet is much steeper than the background coma, which is a first indication of sublimation. We adapted a model of sublimation of icy aggregates and studied the effect as a function of the physical properties of the aggregates (composition and size). The major finding of this paper was that through the sublimation of the aggregates of dirty grains (radius a between 5 and 50 mu m) we were able to completely reproduce the radial brightness profile of a jet beyond 4 km from the nucleus. To reproduce the data, we needed to inject a number of aggregates between 8.5 x 10(13) and 8.5 x 10(10) for a = 5 and 50 mu m, respectively, or an initial mass of H2O ice around 22 kg.
Published: 2016
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14. Sublimation of icy aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected with the OSIRIS cameras on board Rosetta

Author: Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Beginning in 2014 March, the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) cameras began capturing images of the nucleus and coma (gas and dust) of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using both the wide angle camera (WAC) and the narrow angle camera (NAC). The many observations taken since July of 2014 have been used to study the morphology, location, and temporal variation of the comet's dust jets. We analysed the dust monitoring observations shortly after the southern vernal equinox on 2015 May 30 and 31 with the WAC at the heliocentric distance R-h = 1.53 AU, where it is possible to observe that the jet rotates with the nucleus. We found that the decline of brightness as a function of the distance of the jet is much steeper than the background coma, which is a first indication of sublimation. We adapted a model of sublimation of icy aggregates and studied the effect as a function of the physical properties of the aggregates (composition and size). The major finding of this paper was that through the sublimation of the aggregates of dirty grains (radius a between 5 and 50 mu m) we were able to completely reproduce the radial brightness profile of a jet beyond 4 km from the nucleus. To reproduce the data, we needed to inject a number of aggregates between 8.5 x 10(13) and 8.5 x 10(10) for a = 5 and 50 mu m, respectively, or an initial mass of H2O ice around 22 kg.
Published: 2016
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15. The 2016 Feb 19 outburst of comet 67P/CG : an ESA Rosetta multi-instrument study

Author: Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., Zakharov, V. V., Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., and Zakharov, V. V.
Abstract: On 2016 Feb 19, nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in situ gas, dust and plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 09: 40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature of the outburst that significantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50 per cent of the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors > 100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus. Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest enhancements (factors > 10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3 and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from similar to-16 V to -20 V during the outburst. A clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta ( 34 km from the nucleus): within 15 min the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles (similar to 25 m s(-1)) while 100 mu m radius particles were detected by the GIADA dust instrument similar to 1 h later at a speed of 6 m s(-1). The slowest were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the outburst could be determined.
Published: 2016
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16. The 2016 Feb 19 outburst of comet 67P/CG : an ESA Rosetta multi-instrument study

Author: Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., Zakharov, V. V., Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., and Zakharov, V. V.
Abstract: On 2016 Feb 19, nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in situ gas, dust and plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 09: 40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature of the outburst that significantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50 per cent of the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors > 100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus. Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest enhancements (factors > 10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3 and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from similar to-16 V to -20 V during the outburst. A clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta ( 34 km from the nucleus): within 15 min the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles (similar to 25 m s(-1)) while 100 mu m radius particles were detected by the GIADA dust instrument similar to 1 h later at a speed of 6 m s(-1). The slowest were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the outburst could be determined.
Published: 2016
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17. Comparative study of water ice exposures on cometary nuclei using multispectral imaging data

Author: Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Deep Impact, EPOXI and Rosetta missions visited comets 9P/Tempel 1, 103P/Hartley 2 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. Each of these three missions was equipped with both multispectral imagers and infrared spectrometers. Bright blue features containing water ice were detected in each of these comet nuclei. We analysed multispectral properties of enriched water ice features observed via Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System narrow angle camera on comet 67P in the wavelength range of 260-1000 nm and then compared with multispectral data of water ice deposits observed on comets 9P and 103P. We characterize the UV/VIS properties of water-ice-rich features observed on the nuclei of these three comets. When compared to the average surface of each comet, our analysis shows that the water ice deposits seen on comet 9P are similar to the clustered water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P, while the water ice deposit seen on comet 103P is more akin to two large isolated water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P. Our results indicate that the water ice deposit observed on comet 103P contains more water ice than the water-ice-rich features observed on comets 9P and 67P, proportionally to the average surface of each nucleus.
Published: 2016
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18. The Agilkia boulders/pebbles size-frequency distributions : OSIRIS and ROLIS joint observations of 67P surface

Author: Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. B., Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. B.
Abstract: By using the images acquired by the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System) and ROLIS (ROsetta Lander Imaging System) cameras, we derive the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of cometary pebbles and boulders covering the size range 0.05-30.0 m on the Agilkia landing site. The global SFD measured on OSIRIS images, reflects the different properties of the multiple morphological units present on Agilkia, combined with selection effects related to lifting, transport and redeposition. Contrarily, the different ROLIS SFD derived on the smooth and rough units may be related to their different regolith thickness present on Agilkia. In the thicker, smoother layer, ROLIS mainly measures the SFD of the airfall population which almost completely obliterates the signature of underlying boulders up to a size of the order of 1 m. This is well matched by the power-law index derived analysing coma particles identified by the grain analyser Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator. This result confirms the important blanketing dynamism of Agilkia. The steeper SFD observed in rough terrains from 0.4 to 2 m could point out intrinsic differences between northern and southern dust size distributions, or it may suggest that the underlying boulders 'peek through' the thinner airfall layer in the rough terrain, thereby producing the observed excess in the decimetre size range. Eventually, the OSIRIS SFD performed on the Philae landing unit may be due to water sublimation from a static population of boulders, affecting smaller boulders before the bigger ones, thus shallowing the original SFD.
Published: 2016
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19. Acceleration of individual, decimetre-sized aggregates in the lower coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Author: Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., and Thomas, N.
Abstract: We present observations of decimetre-sized, likely ice-containing aggregates ejected from a confined region on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The images were obtained with the narrow angle camera of the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the Rosetta spacecraft in 2016 January when the comet was at 2 au from the Sun outbound from perihelion. We measure the acceleration of individual aggregates through a 2 h image series. Approximately 50 per cent of the aggregates are accelerated away from the nucleus, and 50 per cent towards it, and likewise towards either horizontal direction. The accelerations are up to one order of magnitude stronger than local gravity, and are most simply explained by the combined effect of gas drag accelerating all aggregates upwards, and the recoil force from asymmetric outgassing, either from rotating aggregates with randomly oriented spin axes and sufficient thermal inertia to shift the temperature maximum away from an aggregate's subsolar region, or from aggregates with variable ice content. At least 10 per cent of the aggregates will escape the gravity field of the nucleus and feed the comet's debris trail, while others may fall back to the surface and contribute to the deposits covering parts of the Northern hemisphere. The rocket force plays a crucial role in pushing these aggregates back towards the surface. Our observations show the future back fall material in the process of ejection, and provide the first direct measurement of the acceleration of aggregates in the innermost coma (<2 km) of a comet, where gas drag is still significant.
Published: 2016
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20. Decimetre-scaled spectrophotometric properties of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations

Author: Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: We present the results of the photometric and spectrophotometric properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus derived with the Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System instrument during the closest fly-by over the comet, which took place on 2015 February 14 at a distance of similar to 6 km from the surface. Several images covering the 0 degrees-33 degrees. phase angle range were acquired, and the spatial resolution achieved was 11 cm pixel(-1). The flown-by region is located on the big lobe of the comet, near the borders of the Ash, Apis and Imhotep regions. Our analysis shows that this region features local heterogeneities at the decimetre scale. We observed difference of reflectance up to 40 per cent between bright spots and sombre regions, and spectral slope variations up to 50 per cent. The spectral reddening effect observed globally on the comet surface by Fornasier et al. (2015) is also observed locally on this region, but with a less steep behaviour. We note that numerous metre-sized boulders, which exhibit a smaller opposition effect, also appear spectrally redder than their surroundings. In this region, we found no evidence linking observed bright spots to exposed water-ice-rich material. We fitted our data set using the Hapke 2008 photometric model. The region overflown is globally as dark as the whole nucleus (geometric albedo of 6.8 per cent) and it has a high porosity value in the uppermost layers (86 per cent). These results of the photometric analysis at a decimetre scale indicate that the photometric properties of the flown-by region are similar to those previously found for the whole nucleus.
Published: 2016
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21. Decimetre-scaled spectrophotometric properties of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations

Author: Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: We present the results of the photometric and spectrophotometric properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus derived with the Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System instrument during the closest fly-by over the comet, which took place on 2015 February 14 at a distance of similar to 6 km from the surface. Several images covering the 0 degrees-33 degrees. phase angle range were acquired, and the spatial resolution achieved was 11 cm pixel(-1). The flown-by region is located on the big lobe of the comet, near the borders of the Ash, Apis and Imhotep regions. Our analysis shows that this region features local heterogeneities at the decimetre scale. We observed difference of reflectance up to 40 per cent between bright spots and sombre regions, and spectral slope variations up to 50 per cent. The spectral reddening effect observed globally on the comet surface by Fornasier et al. (2015) is also observed locally on this region, but with a less steep behaviour. We note that numerous metre-sized boulders, which exhibit a smaller opposition effect, also appear spectrally redder than their surroundings. In this region, we found no evidence linking observed bright spots to exposed water-ice-rich material. We fitted our data set using the Hapke 2008 photometric model. The region overflown is globally as dark as the whole nucleus (geometric albedo of 6.8 per cent) and it has a high porosity value in the uppermost layers (86 per cent). These results of the photometric analysis at a decimetre scale indicate that the photometric properties of the flown-by region are similar to those previously found for the whole nucleus.
Published: 2016
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22. Acceleration of individual, decimetre-sized aggregates in the lower coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Author: Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., and Thomas, N.
Abstract: We present observations of decimetre-sized, likely ice-containing aggregates ejected from a confined region on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The images were obtained with the narrow angle camera of the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the Rosetta spacecraft in 2016 January when the comet was at 2 au from the Sun outbound from perihelion. We measure the acceleration of individual aggregates through a 2 h image series. Approximately 50 per cent of the aggregates are accelerated away from the nucleus, and 50 per cent towards it, and likewise towards either horizontal direction. The accelerations are up to one order of magnitude stronger than local gravity, and are most simply explained by the combined effect of gas drag accelerating all aggregates upwards, and the recoil force from asymmetric outgassing, either from rotating aggregates with randomly oriented spin axes and sufficient thermal inertia to shift the temperature maximum away from an aggregate's subsolar region, or from aggregates with variable ice content. At least 10 per cent of the aggregates will escape the gravity field of the nucleus and feed the comet's debris trail, while others may fall back to the surface and contribute to the deposits covering parts of the Northern hemisphere. The rocket force plays a crucial role in pushing these aggregates back towards the surface. Our observations show the future back fall material in the process of ejection, and provide the first direct measurement of the acceleration of aggregates in the innermost coma (<2 km) of a comet, where gas drag is still significant.
Published: 2016
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23. The Agilkia boulders/pebbles size-frequency distributions : OSIRIS and ROLIS joint observations of 67P surface

Author: Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. B., Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. B.
Abstract: By using the images acquired by the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System) and ROLIS (ROsetta Lander Imaging System) cameras, we derive the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of cometary pebbles and boulders covering the size range 0.05-30.0 m on the Agilkia landing site. The global SFD measured on OSIRIS images, reflects the different properties of the multiple morphological units present on Agilkia, combined with selection effects related to lifting, transport and redeposition. Contrarily, the different ROLIS SFD derived on the smooth and rough units may be related to their different regolith thickness present on Agilkia. In the thicker, smoother layer, ROLIS mainly measures the SFD of the airfall population which almost completely obliterates the signature of underlying boulders up to a size of the order of 1 m. This is well matched by the power-law index derived analysing coma particles identified by the grain analyser Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator. This result confirms the important blanketing dynamism of Agilkia. The steeper SFD observed in rough terrains from 0.4 to 2 m could point out intrinsic differences between northern and southern dust size distributions, or it may suggest that the underlying boulders 'peek through' the thinner airfall layer in the rough terrain, thereby producing the observed excess in the decimetre size range. Eventually, the OSIRIS SFD performed on the Philae landing unit may be due to water sublimation from a static population of boulders, affecting smaller boulders before the bigger ones, thus shallowing the original SFD.
Published: 2016
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24. Geologic mapping of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Northern hemisphere

Author: Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS), the scientific imaging system onboard the Rosetta mission, has been acquiring images of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since 2014 August with a resolution which allows a detailed analysis of its surface. Indeed, data reveal a complex surface morphology which is likely the expression of different processes which occurred at different times on the cometary nucleus. In order to characterize these different morphologies and better understand their distribution, we performed a geologic mapping of comet's 67P Northern hemisphere in which features have been distinguished based on their morphological, textural and stratigraphic characteristics. For this purpose, we used narrow-angle camera images acquired in 2014 August and September with a spatial scale ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 m pixel(-1). Several different geologic units have been identified on the basis of their different surface textures, granulometry and morphology. Some of these units are distinctive and localized, whereas others are more common and distributed all over the Northern hemisphere. Moreover, different types of linear features have been distinguished on the basis of their morphology. Some of these lineaments have never been observed before on a comet and can offer important clues on the internal structures of the nucleus itself. The geologic mapping results presented here will allow us to better understand the processes which affected the nucleus' surface and thus the origin and evolutionary history of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Published: 2016
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25. Geologic mapping of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Northern hemisphere

Author: Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS), the scientific imaging system onboard the Rosetta mission, has been acquiring images of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since 2014 August with a resolution which allows a detailed analysis of its surface. Indeed, data reveal a complex surface morphology which is likely the expression of different processes which occurred at different times on the cometary nucleus. In order to characterize these different morphologies and better understand their distribution, we performed a geologic mapping of comet's 67P Northern hemisphere in which features have been distinguished based on their morphological, textural and stratigraphic characteristics. For this purpose, we used narrow-angle camera images acquired in 2014 August and September with a spatial scale ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 m pixel(-1). Several different geologic units have been identified on the basis of their different surface textures, granulometry and morphology. Some of these units are distinctive and localized, whereas others are more common and distributed all over the Northern hemisphere. Moreover, different types of linear features have been distinguished on the basis of their morphology. Some of these lineaments have never been observed before on a comet and can offer important clues on the internal structures of the nucleus itself. The geologic mapping results presented here will allow us to better understand the processes which affected the nucleus' surface and thus the origin and evolutionary history of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Published: 2016
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26. Summer fireworks on comet 67P

Author: Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: During its 2 yr mission around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft had the unique opportunity to follow closely a comet in the most active part of its orbit. Many studies have presented the typical features associated with the activity of the nucleus, such as localized dust and gas jets. Here, we report on series of more energetic transient events observed during the 3 months surrounding the comet's perihelion passage in 2015 August. We detected and characterized 34 outbursts with the Rosetta cameras, one every 2.4 nucleus rotations. We identified three main dust plume morphologies associated with these events: a narrow jet, a broad fan, and more complex plumes featuring both previous types together. These plumes are comparable in scale and temporal variation to what has been observed on other comets. We present a map of the outbursts' source locations, and discuss the associated topography. We find that the spatial distribution sources on the nucleus correlate well with morphological region boundaries, especially in areas marked by steep scarps or cliffs. Outbursts occur either in the early morning or shortly after the local noon, indicating two potential processes: morning outbursts may be triggered by thermal stresses linked to the rapid change of temperature; afternoon events are most likely related to the diurnal or seasonal heat wave reaching volatiles buried under the first surface layer. In addition, we propose that some events can be the result of a completely different mechanism, in which most of the dust is released upon the collapse of a cliff.
Published: 2016
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27. Comparative study of water ice exposures on cometary nuclei using multispectral imaging data

Author: Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Deep Impact, EPOXI and Rosetta missions visited comets 9P/Tempel 1, 103P/Hartley 2 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. Each of these three missions was equipped with both multispectral imagers and infrared spectrometers. Bright blue features containing water ice were detected in each of these comet nuclei. We analysed multispectral properties of enriched water ice features observed via Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System narrow angle camera on comet 67P in the wavelength range of 260-1000 nm and then compared with multispectral data of water ice deposits observed on comets 9P and 103P. We characterize the UV/VIS properties of water-ice-rich features observed on the nuclei of these three comets. When compared to the average surface of each comet, our analysis shows that the water ice deposits seen on comet 9P are similar to the clustered water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P, while the water ice deposit seen on comet 103P is more akin to two large isolated water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P. Our results indicate that the water ice deposit observed on comet 103P contains more water ice than the water-ice-rich features observed on comets 9P and 67P, proportionally to the average surface of each nucleus.
Published: 2016
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28. The Agilkia boulders/pebbles size-frequency distributions : OSIRIS and ROLIS joint observations of 67P surface

Author: Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. B., Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. B.
Abstract: By using the images acquired by the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System) and ROLIS (ROsetta Lander Imaging System) cameras, we derive the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of cometary pebbles and boulders covering the size range 0.05-30.0 m on the Agilkia landing site. The global SFD measured on OSIRIS images, reflects the different properties of the multiple morphological units present on Agilkia, combined with selection effects related to lifting, transport and redeposition. Contrarily, the different ROLIS SFD derived on the smooth and rough units may be related to their different regolith thickness present on Agilkia. In the thicker, smoother layer, ROLIS mainly measures the SFD of the airfall population which almost completely obliterates the signature of underlying boulders up to a size of the order of 1 m. This is well matched by the power-law index derived analysing coma particles identified by the grain analyser Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator. This result confirms the important blanketing dynamism of Agilkia. The steeper SFD observed in rough terrains from 0.4 to 2 m could point out intrinsic differences between northern and southern dust size distributions, or it may suggest that the underlying boulders 'peek through' the thinner airfall layer in the rough terrain, thereby producing the observed excess in the decimetre size range. Eventually, the OSIRIS SFD performed on the Philae landing unit may be due to water sublimation from a static population of boulders, affecting smaller boulders before the bigger ones, thus shallowing the original SFD.
Published: 2016
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29. Sublimation of icy aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected with the OSIRIS cameras on board Rosetta

Author: Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Beginning in 2014 March, the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) cameras began capturing images of the nucleus and coma (gas and dust) of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using both the wide angle camera (WAC) and the narrow angle camera (NAC). The many observations taken since July of 2014 have been used to study the morphology, location, and temporal variation of the comet's dust jets. We analysed the dust monitoring observations shortly after the southern vernal equinox on 2015 May 30 and 31 with the WAC at the heliocentric distance R-h = 1.53 AU, where it is possible to observe that the jet rotates with the nucleus. We found that the decline of brightness as a function of the distance of the jet is much steeper than the background coma, which is a first indication of sublimation. We adapted a model of sublimation of icy aggregates and studied the effect as a function of the physical properties of the aggregates (composition and size). The major finding of this paper was that through the sublimation of the aggregates of dirty grains (radius a between 5 and 50 mu m) we were able to completely reproduce the radial brightness profile of a jet beyond 4 km from the nucleus. To reproduce the data, we needed to inject a number of aggregates between 8.5 x 10(13) and 8.5 x 10(10) for a = 5 and 50 mu m, respectively, or an initial mass of H2O ice around 22 kg.
Published: 2016
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30. The 2016 Feb 19 outburst of comet 67P/CG : an ESA Rosetta multi-instrument study

Author: Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., Zakharov, V. V., Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., and Zakharov, V. V.
Abstract: On 2016 Feb 19, nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in situ gas, dust and plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 09: 40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature of the outburst that significantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50 per cent of the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors > 100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus. Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest enhancements (factors > 10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3 and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from similar to-16 V to -20 V during the outburst. A clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta ( 34 km from the nucleus): within 15 min the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles (similar to 25 m s(-1)) while 100 mu m radius particles were detected by the GIADA dust instrument similar to 1 h later at a speed of 6 m s(-1). The slowest were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the outburst could be determined.
Published: 2016
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31. Acceleration of individual, decimetre-sized aggregates in the lower coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Author: Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., and Thomas, N.
Abstract: We present observations of decimetre-sized, likely ice-containing aggregates ejected from a confined region on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The images were obtained with the narrow angle camera of the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the Rosetta spacecraft in 2016 January when the comet was at 2 au from the Sun outbound from perihelion. We measure the acceleration of individual aggregates through a 2 h image series. Approximately 50 per cent of the aggregates are accelerated away from the nucleus, and 50 per cent towards it, and likewise towards either horizontal direction. The accelerations are up to one order of magnitude stronger than local gravity, and are most simply explained by the combined effect of gas drag accelerating all aggregates upwards, and the recoil force from asymmetric outgassing, either from rotating aggregates with randomly oriented spin axes and sufficient thermal inertia to shift the temperature maximum away from an aggregate's subsolar region, or from aggregates with variable ice content. At least 10 per cent of the aggregates will escape the gravity field of the nucleus and feed the comet's debris trail, while others may fall back to the surface and contribute to the deposits covering parts of the Northern hemisphere. The rocket force plays a crucial role in pushing these aggregates back towards the surface. Our observations show the future back fall material in the process of ejection, and provide the first direct measurement of the acceleration of aggregates in the innermost coma (<2 km) of a comet, where gas drag is still significant.
Published: 2016
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32. Decimetre-scaled spectrophotometric properties of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations

Author: Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: We present the results of the photometric and spectrophotometric properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus derived with the Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System instrument during the closest fly-by over the comet, which took place on 2015 February 14 at a distance of similar to 6 km from the surface. Several images covering the 0 degrees-33 degrees. phase angle range were acquired, and the spatial resolution achieved was 11 cm pixel(-1). The flown-by region is located on the big lobe of the comet, near the borders of the Ash, Apis and Imhotep regions. Our analysis shows that this region features local heterogeneities at the decimetre scale. We observed difference of reflectance up to 40 per cent between bright spots and sombre regions, and spectral slope variations up to 50 per cent. The spectral reddening effect observed globally on the comet surface by Fornasier et al. (2015) is also observed locally on this region, but with a less steep behaviour. We note that numerous metre-sized boulders, which exhibit a smaller opposition effect, also appear spectrally redder than their surroundings. In this region, we found no evidence linking observed bright spots to exposed water-ice-rich material. We fitted our data set using the Hapke 2008 photometric model. The region overflown is globally as dark as the whole nucleus (geometric albedo of 6.8 per cent) and it has a high porosity value in the uppermost layers (86 per cent). These results of the photometric analysis at a decimetre scale indicate that the photometric properties of the flown-by region are similar to those previously found for the whole nucleus.
Published: 2016
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33. Geologic mapping of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Northern hemisphere

Author: Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS), the scientific imaging system onboard the Rosetta mission, has been acquiring images of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since 2014 August with a resolution which allows a detailed analysis of its surface. Indeed, data reveal a complex surface morphology which is likely the expression of different processes which occurred at different times on the cometary nucleus. In order to characterize these different morphologies and better understand their distribution, we performed a geologic mapping of comet's 67P Northern hemisphere in which features have been distinguished based on their morphological, textural and stratigraphic characteristics. For this purpose, we used narrow-angle camera images acquired in 2014 August and September with a spatial scale ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 m pixel(-1). Several different geologic units have been identified on the basis of their different surface textures, granulometry and morphology. Some of these units are distinctive and localized, whereas others are more common and distributed all over the Northern hemisphere. Moreover, different types of linear features have been distinguished on the basis of their morphology. Some of these lineaments have never been observed before on a comet and can offer important clues on the internal structures of the nucleus itself. The geologic mapping results presented here will allow us to better understand the processes which affected the nucleus' surface and thus the origin and evolutionary history of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Published: 2016
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34. Summer fireworks on comet 67P

Author: Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, A'Hearn, M. F., Lin, Z. -Y, El-Maarry, M. R., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: During its 2 yr mission around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft had the unique opportunity to follow closely a comet in the most active part of its orbit. Many studies have presented the typical features associated with the activity of the nucleus, such as localized dust and gas jets. Here, we report on series of more energetic transient events observed during the 3 months surrounding the comet's perihelion passage in 2015 August. We detected and characterized 34 outbursts with the Rosetta cameras, one every 2.4 nucleus rotations. We identified three main dust plume morphologies associated with these events: a narrow jet, a broad fan, and more complex plumes featuring both previous types together. These plumes are comparable in scale and temporal variation to what has been observed on other comets. We present a map of the outbursts' source locations, and discuss the associated topography. We find that the spatial distribution sources on the nucleus correlate well with morphological region boundaries, especially in areas marked by steep scarps or cliffs. Outbursts occur either in the early morning or shortly after the local noon, indicating two potential processes: morning outbursts may be triggered by thermal stresses linked to the rapid change of temperature; afternoon events are most likely related to the diurnal or seasonal heat wave reaching volatiles buried under the first surface layer. In addition, we propose that some events can be the result of a completely different mechanism, in which most of the dust is released upon the collapse of a cliff.
Published: 2016
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35. Comparative study of water ice exposures on cometary nuclei using multispectral imaging data

Author: Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Oklay, N., Sunshine, J. M., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Vincent, J. -B, Mottola, S., Sierks, H., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M. A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Lara, L. M., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, A'Hearn, M. F., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hall, I., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lazzarin, M., Lin, Z. -Y, Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Shi, X., Thomas, N., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Deep Impact, EPOXI and Rosetta missions visited comets 9P/Tempel 1, 103P/Hartley 2 and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, respectively. Each of these three missions was equipped with both multispectral imagers and infrared spectrometers. Bright blue features containing water ice were detected in each of these comet nuclei. We analysed multispectral properties of enriched water ice features observed via Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System narrow angle camera on comet 67P in the wavelength range of 260-1000 nm and then compared with multispectral data of water ice deposits observed on comets 9P and 103P. We characterize the UV/VIS properties of water-ice-rich features observed on the nuclei of these three comets. When compared to the average surface of each comet, our analysis shows that the water ice deposits seen on comet 9P are similar to the clustered water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P, while the water ice deposit seen on comet 103P is more akin to two large isolated water-ice-rich features seen on comet 67P. Our results indicate that the water ice deposit observed on comet 103P contains more water ice than the water-ice-rich features observed on comets 9P and 67P, proportionally to the average surface of each nucleus.
Published: 2016
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36. Acceleration of individual, decimetre-sized aggregates in the lower coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Author: Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Agarwal, Jessica, A'Hearn, M. F., Vincent, J. -B, Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Sierks, H., Tubiana, C., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Shi, X., and Thomas, N.
Abstract: We present observations of decimetre-sized, likely ice-containing aggregates ejected from a confined region on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The images were obtained with the narrow angle camera of the Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the Rosetta spacecraft in 2016 January when the comet was at 2 au from the Sun outbound from perihelion. We measure the acceleration of individual aggregates through a 2 h image series. Approximately 50 per cent of the aggregates are accelerated away from the nucleus, and 50 per cent towards it, and likewise towards either horizontal direction. The accelerations are up to one order of magnitude stronger than local gravity, and are most simply explained by the combined effect of gas drag accelerating all aggregates upwards, and the recoil force from asymmetric outgassing, either from rotating aggregates with randomly oriented spin axes and sufficient thermal inertia to shift the temperature maximum away from an aggregate's subsolar region, or from aggregates with variable ice content. At least 10 per cent of the aggregates will escape the gravity field of the nucleus and feed the comet's debris trail, while others may fall back to the surface and contribute to the deposits covering parts of the Northern hemisphere. The rocket force plays a crucial role in pushing these aggregates back towards the surface. Our observations show the future back fall material in the process of ejection, and provide the first direct measurement of the acceleration of aggregates in the innermost coma (<2 km) of a comet, where gas drag is still significant.
Published: 2016
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37. The 2016 Feb 19 outburst of comet 67P/CG : an ESA Rosetta multi-instrument study

Author: Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., Zakharov, V. V., Grun, E., Agarwal, J., Altobelli, N., Altwegg, K., Bentley, M. S., Biver, N., Della Corte, V., Edberg, Niklas J. T., Feldman, P. D., Galand, M., Geiger, B., Goetz, C., Grieger, B., Guettler, C., Henri, P., Hofstadter, M., Horanyi, M., Jehin, E., Krueger, H., Lee, S., Mannel, T., Morales, E., Mousis, O., Mueller, M., Opitom, C., Rotundi, A., Schmied, R., Schmidt, F., Sierks, H., Snodgrass, C., Soja, R. H., Sommer, M., Srama, R., Tzou, C. -Y, Vincent, J. -B, Yanamandra-Fisher, P., A'Hearn, M. F., Eriksson, Anders, Barbieri, C., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Burch, J., Colangeli, L., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Feaga, L. M., Ferrari, M., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gicquel, A., Gillon, M., Green, S. F., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Ivanovski, S., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knight, M. M., Knollenberg, J., Koschny, D., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lamy, P. L., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez-Moreno, J. J., Manfroid, J., Epifani, E. Mazzotta, Marzari, F., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Palumbo, P., Parker, J. Wm., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Rodriguez, J., Schindhelm, E., Shi, X., Sordini, R., Steffl, A. J., Stern, S. A., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Weaver, H. A., Weissman, P., and Zakharov, V. V.
Abstract: On 2016 Feb 19, nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in situ gas, dust and plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 09: 40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature of the outburst that significantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50 per cent of the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors > 100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus. Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest enhancements (factors > 10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3 and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from similar to-16 V to -20 V during the outburst. A clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta ( 34 km from the nucleus): within 15 min the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles (similar to 25 m s(-1)) while 100 mu m radius particles were detected by the GIADA dust instrument similar to 1 h later at a speed of 6 m s(-1). The slowest were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the outburst could be determined.
Published: 2016
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38. Decimetre-scaled spectrophotometric properties of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations

Author: Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Barucci, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Jorda, L., Pommerol, A., Jost, B., Poch, O., ElMaary, M. R., Thomas, N., Belskaya, I., Pajola, M., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Rodrigo, R., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M., Bertaux, J. -L, Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, B. J. R., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Fulle, M., Giquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Keller, H., Ip, W. -H, Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, M. L., Lazzarin, M., Leyrat, C., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Perna, D., Oklay, N., Shi, X., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: We present the results of the photometric and spectrophotometric properties of the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko nucleus derived with the Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System instrument during the closest fly-by over the comet, which took place on 2015 February 14 at a distance of similar to 6 km from the surface. Several images covering the 0 degrees-33 degrees. phase angle range were acquired, and the spatial resolution achieved was 11 cm pixel(-1). The flown-by region is located on the big lobe of the comet, near the borders of the Ash, Apis and Imhotep regions. Our analysis shows that this region features local heterogeneities at the decimetre scale. We observed difference of reflectance up to 40 per cent between bright spots and sombre regions, and spectral slope variations up to 50 per cent. The spectral reddening effect observed globally on the comet surface by Fornasier et al. (2015) is also observed locally on this region, but with a less steep behaviour. We note that numerous metre-sized boulders, which exhibit a smaller opposition effect, also appear spectrally redder than their surroundings. In this region, we found no evidence linking observed bright spots to exposed water-ice-rich material. We fitted our data set using the Hapke 2008 photometric model. The region overflown is globally as dark as the whole nucleus (geometric albedo of 6.8 per cent) and it has a high porosity value in the uppermost layers (86 per cent). These results of the photometric analysis at a decimetre scale indicate that the photometric properties of the flown-by region are similar to those previously found for the whole nucleus.
Published: 2016
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39. Sublimation of icy aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko detected with the OSIRIS cameras on board Rosetta

Author: Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Gicquel, A., Vincent, J. -B, Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Sierks, H., Li, Z. -Y, Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, Debei, S., Deller, J., De Cecco, M., Frattin, E., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Gutierrez-Marquez, P., Guettler, C., Hoefner, S., Hofmann, M., Hu, X., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kueppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Lowry, S., Marzari, F., Masoumzadeh, N., Massironi, M., Moreno, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, N., Pajola, M., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Shi, X., Thomas, N., Toth, I., and Tubiana, C.
Abstract: Beginning in 2014 March, the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System) cameras began capturing images of the nucleus and coma (gas and dust) of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko using both the wide angle camera (WAC) and the narrow angle camera (NAC). The many observations taken since July of 2014 have been used to study the morphology, location, and temporal variation of the comet's dust jets. We analysed the dust monitoring observations shortly after the southern vernal equinox on 2015 May 30 and 31 with the WAC at the heliocentric distance R-h = 1.53 AU, where it is possible to observe that the jet rotates with the nucleus. We found that the decline of brightness as a function of the distance of the jet is much steeper than the background coma, which is a first indication of sublimation. We adapted a model of sublimation of icy aggregates and studied the effect as a function of the physical properties of the aggregates (composition and size). The major finding of this paper was that through the sublimation of the aggregates of dirty grains (radius a between 5 and 50 mu m) we were able to completely reproduce the radial brightness profile of a jet beyond 4 km from the nucleus. To reproduce the data, we needed to inject a number of aggregates between 8.5 x 10(13) and 8.5 x 10(10) for a = 5 and 50 mu m, respectively, or an initial mass of H2O ice around 22 kg.
Published: 2016
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40. Geologic mapping of the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's Northern hemisphere

Author: Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. -B, Giacomini, L., Massironi, M., El-Maarry, M. R., Penasa, L., Pajola, M., Thomas, N., Lowry, S. C., Barbieri, C., Cremonese, G., Ferri, F., Naletto, G., Bertini, I., La Forgia, F., Lazzarin, M., Marzari, F., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Rickman, Hans, Koschny, D., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Auger, A. -T, Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L, Besse, S., Bodewits, D., Da Deppo, V., Davidsson, Björn, De Cecco, M., Debei, S., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Guettler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H, Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. -R, Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., Lara, L. M., Lopez Moreno, J. J., Magrin, S., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. -B
Abstract: The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System (OSIRIS), the scientific imaging system onboard the Rosetta mission, has been acquiring images of the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko since 2014 August with a resolution which allows a detailed analysis of its surface. Indeed, data reveal a complex surface morphology which is likely the expression of different processes which occurred at different times on the cometary nucleus. In order to characterize these different morphologies and better understand their distribution, we performed a geologic mapping of comet's 67P Northern hemisphere in which features have been distinguished based on their morphological, textural and stratigraphic characteristics. For this purpose, we used narrow-angle camera images acquired in 2014 August and September with a spatial scale ranging from 1.2 to 2.4 m pixel(-1). Several different geologic units have been identified on the basis of their different surface textures, granulometry and morphology. Some of these units are distinctive and localized, whereas others are more common and distributed all over the Northern hemisphere. Moreover, different types of linear features have been distinguished on the basis of their morphology. Some of these lineaments have never been observed before on a comet and can offer important clues on the internal structures of the nucleus itself. The geologic mapping results presented here will allow us to better understand the processes which affected the nucleus' surface and thus the origin and evolutionary history of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
Published: 2016
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41. The Agilkia boulders/pebbles size-frequency distributions : OSIRIS and ROLIS joint observations of 67P surface

Author: Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., Vincent, J. B., Pajola, M., Mottola, S., Hamm, M., Fulle, M., Davidsson, B., Guettler, C., Sierks, H., Naletto, G., Arnold, G., Grothues, H. -G, Jaumann, R., Michaelis, H., Bibring, J. P., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, Hans, Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., Bertini, I., Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El Maarry, M. R., Feller, C., Fornasier, S., Gicquel, A., Groussin, O., Gutierrez, P. J., Hofmann, M., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. H., Jorda, L., Knollenberg, J., Kramm, J. R., Kuehrt, E., Kuppers, M., La Forgia, F., Lara, L. M., Lin, Z. Y., Lazzarin, M., Moreno, J. J. Lopez, Lucchetti, A., Marzari, F., Massironi, M., Michalik, H., Oklay, N., Pommerol, A., Preusker, F., Scholten, F., Thomas, N., Tubiana, C., and Vincent, J. B.
Abstract: By using the images acquired by the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic and Infrared Remote Imaging System) and ROLIS (ROsetta Lander Imaging System) cameras, we derive the size-frequency distribution (SFD) of cometary pebbles and boulders covering the size range 0.05-30.0 m on the Agilkia landing site. The global SFD measured on OSIRIS images, reflects the different properties of the multiple morphological units present on Agilkia, combined with selection effects related to lifting, transport and redeposition. Contrarily, the different ROLIS SFD derived on the smooth and rough units may be related to their different regolith thickness present on Agilkia. In the thicker, smoother layer, ROLIS mainly measures the SFD of the airfall population which almost completely obliterates the signature of underlying boulders up to a size of the order of 1 m. This is well matched by the power-law index derived analysing coma particles identified by the grain analyser Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator. This result confirms the important blanketing dynamism of Agilkia. The steeper SFD observed in rough terrains from 0.4 to 2 m could point out intrinsic differences between northern and southern dust size distributions, or it may suggest that the underlying boulders 'peek through' the thinner airfall layer in the rough terrain, thereby producing the observed excess in the decimetre size range. Eventually, the OSIRIS SFD performed on the Philae landing unit may be due to water sublimation from a static population of boulders, affecting smaller boulders before the bigger ones, thus shallowing the original SFD.
Published: 2016
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