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9 results on '"Küppers , M."'

1. Properties of the gas escaping from a non-isothermal porous dust surface layer of a comet.

Author

Skorov, Yu, Reshetnyk, V, Markkanen, J, Mottola, S, Macher, W, Mokhtari, O, Thomas, N, Küppers, M, and Hartogh, P

Subjects
WATER vapor, DUST, POROUS materials, GAS flow, COMETS, THERMAL conductivity, DUSTY plasmas
Abstract

Estimation of the properties of the sublimation products leaving the cometary nucleus is one of the significant questions in the study of the dusty-gas flow following the Rosetta mission. It is widely assumed that the temperature of the water molecules emitted is the temperature of ice directly exposed to the surface. However, it is the simplest non-verified idealization if the refractory porous material lays on the surface and controls the energy driving the ice sublimation. This highly non-isothermal surface layer should change the vapour temperature as the molecules pass through it from the icy region to the vacuum. A key sustaining observation here comes from the MIRO experiment on Rosetta which measured the velocity of water vapour. The observed gas velocities are visibly higher than can be explained by emission at typical ice surface temperature. To investigate the issue, we simulate a gas flow through a non-isothermal porous dust layer and analyse the temperature of molecules emitted. Monodisperse and bimodal layers, as well as layers made of porous aggregates, are considered. Modelling is carried out for various porosity values, different particle sizes, and dust layer thicknesses. The simulation results are embedded in two-layer thermal models including the effective thermal conductivity, volumetric light absorption, and the resistance of the dust layer to the gas flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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2. Cometary surface dust layers built out of millimetre-scale aggregates: dependence of modelled cometary gas production on the layer transport properties.

Author

Skorov, Yu, Markkanen, J, Reshetnyk, V, Mottola, S, Küppers, M, Besse, S, El-Maarry, M R, and Hartogh, P

Subjects
THERMAL conductivity, SURFACE properties, STRUCTURAL models, RADIATIVE transfer, ENERGY transfer, DUST
Abstract

The standard approach to obtaining knowledge about the properties of the surface layer of a comet from observations of gas production consists of two stages. First, various thermophysical models are used to calculate gas production for a few sets of parameters. Second, a comparison of observations and theoretical predictions is performed. This approach is complicated because the values of many model characteristics are known only approximately. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the sensitivity of the simulated outgassing to variations in the properties of the surface layer. This problem was recently considered by us for aggregates up to tens of microns in size. For millimetre-size aggregates, a qualitative extension of the method used to model the structural characteristics of the layer is required. It is also necessary to study the role of radiative thermal conductivity, which may play an important role for such large particles. We investigated layers constructed from large aggregates and having various thicknesses and porosity and evaluated the effective sublimation of water ice at different heliocentric distances. For radiative conductivity, approximate commonly used models and the complicated model based on the dense-medium radiative transfer theory were compared. It was shown that for millimetre-size aggregates careful consideration of the radiative thermal conductivity is required since this mechanism of energy transfer may change the resulting gas productivity by several times. We demonstrate that our model is more realistic for an evolved comet than simple models parameterizing the properties of the cometary surface layer, yet maintains comparable computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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3. Sensitivity of modelled cometary gas production on the properties of the surface layer of the nucleus.

Author

Skorov, Yu, Reshetnyk, V, Küppers, M, Bentley, M S, Besse, S, and Hartogh, P

Subjects
SURFACE properties, THERMAL conductivity, MINERAL dusts, THERMAL resistance, GAS flow, GASES
Abstract

Explanation of the observed gas activity based on the parameters of the comet's nucleus is not an obvious matter. Solutions based on certain thermal models can be obtained, but the use of arbitrary values for poorly known model parameters is always required. In this work, we carry out a study of the dependence of gas activity on these parameters and assess the importance of each of them. We consider model porous dust layers of diverse structures. Solid state and gas thermal conductivities are examined to estimate the possible range of effective thermal conductivity. The simulation results are embedded in a thermal model, explicitly including a radiative thermal conductivity and a resistance of the dust layer against the gas flow. Sublimation of water ice and supervolatiles (CO2 and CO) is tested at different heliocentric distances. It is shown that when sublimation is the main energy sink, the role of uncertainties in the structure of the layer is small. As the relative contribution of sublimation decreases, the scatter of solutions reaches tens of per cent. The expected large uncertainties in the effective thermal conductivity can also significantly change the gas production. The analysis performed shows that, in spite of the parameter range having been narrowed down by results from the Rosetta mission, the unavoidable uncertainty in the values of some model parameters (e.g. thermal conductivity) blurs the theoretical simulation estimates. Instead of presenting a narrow set of specific solutions, it is desirable to analyse the entire range of possible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
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4. Tensile strength of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko nucleus material from overhangs

Author

Attree, N., Groussin, O., Jorda, L., Nébouy, D., Thomas, N., Brouet, Y., Kührt, Ekkehard, Preusker, Frank, Scholten, Frank, Knollenberg, Jörg, Hartogh, P., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, H., Keller, H. U., A’Hearn, M. F., Auger, A.-T., Barucci, Antonella, Bertaux, J.-L., Bertini, I., Bodewits, Dennis, Boudreault, S., Cremonese, G., Deppo, Vania Da, Davidsson, B., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., El-Maarry, M. R., Fornasier, S., Fulle, M., Gutierrez, P.J., Güttler, C., Hviid, Stubbe, Ip, W-H., Kovacs, G., Kramm, J. R., Küppers, M., Lara López, Luisa M., Lazzarin, M., Lopez Moreno, J., Lowry, S., Marchi, S., Marzari, F., Mottola, S., Naletto, G., Oklay, Nilda, Pajola, M., Toth, I., Tubiana, C., Vincent, Jean-Baptiste, Shi, X., Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM), Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Physikalisches Institut [Bern], Universität Bern [Bern], DLR Institut für Planetenforschung, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Berlin] (DLR), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia 'Galileo Galilei', Universita degli Studi di Padova, PLANETO - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Centro de Astrobiologia [Madrid] (CAB), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), International Space Science Institute [Bern] (ISSI), European Space Agency Advanced Concepts and Science Payloads Office (ESA ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA), ESA Scientific Support Office, Department of Physics and Astronomy [Uppsala], Uppsala University, Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences (CBK), Polska Akademia Nauk = Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Institut für Geophysik und Extraterrestrische Physik [Braunschweig] (IGEP), Technische Universität Braunschweig = Technical University of Braunschweig [Braunschweig], Department of Astronomy [College Park], University of Maryland [College Park], University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System, Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA (UMR_8109)), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste (OAT), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Laboratory for Ultraviolet and X-ray Optical Research [Padova] (LUXOR), CNR Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche [Roma] (CNR)-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche [Roma] (CNR), Department of Industrial Engineering [Padova], University of Trento [Trento], Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Institute of Space Science [Taiwan], National Central University [Taiwan] (NCU), Operations Department (ESAC), European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), European Space Agency (ESA)-European Space Agency (ESA), Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science [Canterbury] (CAPS), University of Kent [Canterbury], Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), Southwest Research Institute [Boulder] (SwRI), Centro di Ateneo di Studi e Attività Spaziali 'Giuseppe Colombo' (CISAS), NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Konkoly Observatory, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences [Budapest], Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA)-Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille ( LAM ), Aix Marseille Université ( AMU ) -Institut national des sciences de l'Univers ( INSU - CNRS ) -Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales ( CNES ) -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ( CNRS ), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Berlin] ( DLR ), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung ( MPS ), IMPEC - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales ( LATMOS ), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines ( UVSQ ) -Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 ( UPMC ) -Institut national des sciences de l'Univers ( INSU - CNRS ) -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ( CNRS ) -Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines ( UVSQ ) -Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 ( UPMC ) -Institut national des sciences de l'Univers ( INSU - CNRS ) -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ( CNRS ), Centro de Astrobiologia [Madrid] ( CAB ), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial ( INTA ) -Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] ( CSIC ), International Space Science Institute ( ISSI ), Space Research Centre [Warsaw] ( CBK ), Polska Akademia Nauk ( PAN ), Institut für Geophysik und Extraterrestrische Physik [Braunschweig] ( IGEP ), Technische Universität Braunschweig [Braunschweig], Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique ( LESIA ), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 ( UPMC ) -Institut national des sciences de l'Univers ( INSU - CNRS ) -Observatoire de Paris-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 ( UPD7 ) -Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ( CNRS ), INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste ( OAT ), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica ( INAF ), Laboratory for Ultraviolet and X-ray Optical Research [Padova] ( LUXOR ), CNR Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies ( IFN ), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche [Roma] ( CNR ) -Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche [Roma] ( CNR ), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía ( IAA ), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] ( CSIC ), National Central University [Taiwan] ( NCU ), European Space Astronomy Center ( ESAC ), European Space Agency ( ESA ) -European Space Agency ( ESA ), Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science [Canterbury] ( CAPS ), Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute ( SSERVI ), Southwest Research Institute [Boulder] ( SwRI ), Centro di Ateneo di Studi e Attività Spaziali 'Giuseppe Colombo' ( CISAS ), NASA Ames Research Center ( ARC ), Hungarian Academy of Sciences [Budapest], Universität Bern [Bern] (UNIBE), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung = Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), Università degli Studi di Padova = University of Padua (Unipd), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA), National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)-National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA)-Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA), ITA, USA, GBR, FRA, DEU, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] (CSIC)-Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Polska Akademia Nauk (PAN), PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] (CSIC)

Subjects
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP), Comets: individual: Churyumov-Gerasimenko, FOS: Physical sciences, general [comets], Comets: general, Methods: observational, es, individual: Churyumov-Gerasimenko [comets], Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology, observational [Methods], addenda, errata, ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS, [ SDU ] Sciences of the Universe [physics], Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Abstract

We directly measure twenty overhanging cliffs on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko extracted from the latest shape model and estimate the minimum tensile strengths needed to support them against collapse under the comet's gravity. We find extremely low strengths of around one Pa or less (one to five Pa, when scaled to a metre length). The presence of eroded material at the base of most overhangs, as well as the observed collapse of two features and implied previous collapse of another, suggests that they are prone to failure and that true material strengths are close to these lower limits (although we only consider static stresses and not dynamic stress from, for example, cometary activity). Thus, a tensile strength of a few pascals is a good approximation for the tensile strength of 67P's nucleus material, which is in agreement with previous work. We find no particular trends in overhang properties with size, over the $\sim10-100$ m range studied here, or location on the nucleus. There are no obvious differences, in terms of strength, height or evidence of collapse, between the populations of overhangs on the two cometary lobes, suggesting that 67P is relatively homogenous in terms of tensile strength. Low material strengths are supportive of cometary formation as a primordial rubble pile or by collisional fragmentation of a small (tens of km) body., 13 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Published
2018

5. Searches for HCl and HF in comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd) with the Herschel Space Observatory.

Author

Bockelée-Morvan, D., Biver, N., Crovisier, J., Lis, D. C., Hartogh, P., Moreno, R., de Val-Borro, M., Blake, G. A., Szutowicz, S., Boissier, J., Cernicharo, J., Charnley, S. B., Combi, M., Cordiner, M. A., de Graauw, T., Encrenaz, P., Jarchow, C., Kidger, M., Küppers, M., and Milam, S. N.

Subjects
COMETS, HYDROGEN chloride, HYDROGEN fluoride, MOLECULAR clouds, PLANETARY nebulae
Abstract

Context. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) are expected to be the main reservoirs of fluorine and chlorine over a wide range of conditions, wherever hydrogen is predominantly molecular. They are found to be strongly depleted in dense molecular clouds, suggesting freeze-out onto grains in such cold environments. We can then expect that HCl and HF were also the major carriers of Cl and F in the gas and icy phases of the outer solar nebula, and were incorporated into comets. Aims. We aimed to measure the HCl and HF abundances in cometary ices as they can provide insights on the halogen chemistry in the early solar nebula. Methods. We searched for the J(1-0) lines of HCl and HF at 626 and 1232 GHz, respectively, using the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-Infrared (HIFI) onboard the Herschel Space Observatory. HCl was searched for in comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd), whereas observations of HF were conducted in comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd). In addition, observations of H2O and H2 18O lines were performed in C/2009 P1 (Garradd) to measure the H2O production rate at the time of the HCl and HF observations. Three lines of CH3OH were serendipitously observed in the HCl receiver setting. Results. HCl is not detected, whereas a marginal (3.6-σ) detection of HF is obtained. The upper limits for the HCl abundance relative to water are 0.011% and 0.022%, for comet 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd), respectively, showing that HCl is depleted with respect to the solar Cl/O abundance by a factor more than 6+6-3 in 103P/Hartley 2, where the error is related to the uncertainty in the chlorine solar abundance. The marginal HF detection obtained in C/2009 P1 (Garradd) corresponds to an HF abundance relative to water of (1.8±0.5)×10-4, which is approximately consistent with a solar photospheric F/O abundance. The inferred water production rate in comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) is (1.1±0.3)×1029 s-1 and (0.75±0.05)×1029 s-1 on 17 and 23 February 2012, respectively. CH3OH abundances relative to water are 2.7 ± 0.3% and 3.4 ± 0.6%, for comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd), respectively. Conclusions. The observed depletion of HCl suggests that HCl was not the main reservoir of chlorine in the regions of the solar nebula where these comets formed. HF was possibly the main fluorine compound in the gas phase of the outer solar nebula. However, this needs to be confirmed by future measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014
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6. Herschel and IRAM-30 m observations of comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) at 4.5 AU from the Sun.

Author

O'Rourke, L., Bockelée-Morvan, D., Biver, N., Altieri, B., Teyssier, D., Jorda, L., Debout, V., Snodgrass, C., Küppers, M., A'Hearn, M., Müller, T. G., and Farnham, T.

Subjects
COMETS, DUST, TELESCOPES, SUN, ASTROPHYSICS research
Abstract

Context. The sungrazer comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) (perihelion at rh = 0.0125 AU from the Sun) was bright and active when discovered in September 2012 at 6.3 AU from the Sun. Aims. Our goal was to characterize the distant gaseous and dust activity of this comet, inbound, from observations of H2O, CO and the dust coma in the far-infrared and submillimeter domains. Methods. We report observations undertaken with the Herschel space observatory on 8 and 13 March 2013 (rh = 4:54-4.47AU) and with the 30 m telescope of Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) in March and April 2013 (rh = 4.45-4.18 AU). The HIFI instrument aboard Herschel was used to observe the H2O 110-101 line at 557 GHz, whereas images of the dust coma at 70 μm and 160 μm were acquired with the PACS instrument. Spectra acquired at the IRAM 30 m telescope cover the CO J(2-1) line at 230.5 GHz. The spectral observations were analysed with excitation and radiative transfer models. A model of dust thermal emission taking into account a range of dust sizes is used to analyse the PACS maps. Results. While H2O was not detected in our 8 March 2013 observation, we derive a sensitive 3σ upper limit of QH2O < 3:5 × 1026 molecules s-1 for this date. A marginal 3.2σ detection of CO is found, corresponding to a CO production rate of QCO = 3:5 × 1027 molecules s-1. The Herschel PACS measurements show a clear detection of the coma and tail in both the 70 μm and 160 μm maps. Under the assumption of a 2-km radius nucleus, we infer dust production rates in the range 10-13 kg s-1 or 40-70 kg s-1, depending on whether a low or high gaseous activity from the nucleus surface is assumed. We constrain the size distribution of the emitted dust by comparing PACS 70 and 160 μm data, and considering optical data. Size indices between -4 and -3.6 are suggested. The morphology of the tail observed on 70 μm images can be explained by the presence of grains with ages older than 60 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2013
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7. Herschel measurements of the D/H and 16O/18O ratios in water in the Oort-cloud comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd).

Author

Bockelée-Morvan, D., Biver, N., Swinyard, B., de Val-Bono, M., Crovisier, J., Hartogh, P., Lis, D. C., Moreno, R., Szutowicz, S., Lellouch, B., Emprechtinger, M., Blake, G. A., Courtin, R., Jarchow, C., Kidger, M., Küppers, M., Rengel, M., Davis, G. R., Fulton, T., and Naylor, D.

Subjects
OORT Cloud, TERRESTRIAL radiation, SOLAR system, PLANETARY meteorology, RADIOACTIVE substances, SPECTRUM analysis, EQUIPMENT & supplies
Abstract

The D/H ratio in cometary water is believed to be an important indicator of the conditions under which icy planetesimals formed and can provide clues to the contribution of comets to the delivery of water and other volatiles to Earth. Available measurements suggest that there is isotopic diversity in the comet population. The Herschel Space Observatory revealed an ocean-like ratio in the Jupiter-family comet 103P/Hartley 2, whereas most values measured in Oort-cloud comets are twice as high as the ocean D/H ratio. We present here a new measurement of the D/H ratio in the water of an Oort-cloud comet. HDO, H2O, and lines were observed with high signal-to-noise ratio in comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) using the Herschel HIFI instrument. Spectral maps of two water lines were obtained to constrain the water excitation. The D/H ratio derived from the measured H216O and HDO production rates is (2.06 ± 0.22) × 10-4. This result shows that the D/H in the water of Oort-cloud comets is not as high as previously thought, at least for a fraction of the population, hence the paradigm of a single, archetypal D/H ratio for all Oort-cloud comets is no longer tenable. Nevertheless, the value measured in C/2009 P1 (Garradd) is significantly higher than the Earth's ocean value of 1.558 × 10-4. The measured 16O/18O ratio of 523 ± 32 is, however, consistent with the terrestrial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2012
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8. Photometric observations of comet 81P/Wild 2 during the 2010 perihelion passage.

Author

Bertini, I., Barbieri, C., Ho, T.-M., Lazzarin, M., Cremonese, G., Küppers, M., Magrin, S., and Marchi, S.

Subjects
PHOTOMETRY, COMETS, SOLAR system
Abstract

Context. The Jupiter-family comet 81P/Wild 2, target of the NASA Stardust mission, is very important in the context of the studies of pristine objects in the solar system. First, it was only recently deflected into the present orbit, having spent at least 300 yr at higher heliocentric distance prior to the orbital change in 1974. It is therefore likely that the comet experienced a recent activation with consequent low alteration of its original material. Second, it is the only comet whose coma material was brought back to Earth for laboratory analysis. We observed the object between 2010 February 9 and September 9 for a total of 11 nights during the 2010 perihelion passage. Aims. The goals of the campaign were the characterization of the comet's dust activity and the comparison with previous apparitions to derive hints on the secular behavior of the object. Methods. Broadband R- and I-images were acquired using three instruments: ALFOSC, CAMELOT, and TCP. The first one is mounted at the Nordic Optical Telescope on La Palma, while the second and the third are mounted at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias 0.82-m telescope on Tenerife.We analyzed the presence and variability of dust structures in the coma with image-enhancing techniques, the radial profile of the dust brightness, and we measured the dust production rate and the dust reddening. Results. We found evidence of a long-lasting sunward fan and anti-solar tail activity throughout all our observations up to a heliocentric distance of 2.42 AU. A f ρmeasurements suggest a pre-perihelion peak of the activity, caused by a seasonal effect, plus two post-perihelion outbursts. Both spatial and A f ρradial profiles indicate a steady-state coma at nucleocentric distances greater than ∼1000-2000 km. The color analysis reveals a moderately reddened dust with a 6-9%/1000 Å reddening, consistent with the current picture of cometary dust. The second outburst emitted dust with lower reddening. Conclusions. The comparison with previous perihelion passages points toward a recurrent main activity always driven by the same areas on the nucleus, producing dust with similar characteristics and in similar coma structures in different years. Our A f ρmeasurement at the longest heliocentric distance suggests the comet was less dust-productive in 2010, pointing toward a possible secular aging of the object and its activity. The change of dust colors during the unusual second outburst suggests that an internal part of the nucleus has different physical properties compared with those that produce the recurrent main activity, pointing toward a heterogeneous comet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2012
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9. The big lobe of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko comet: morphological and spectrophotometric evidences of layering as from OSIRIS data

Author

P. J. Gutierrez, Xian Shi, Carsten Güttler, Pedro Hasselmann, J. J. López-Moreno, Matteo Massironi, Monica Lazzarin, Detlef Koschny, Stubbe F. Hviid, M. A. Barucci, Björn Davidsson, Cecilia Tubiana, Ivano Bertini, Pamela Cambianica, Nicolas Thomas, Michael Küppers, Francesca Ferri, Luca Penasa, Francesco Marzari, M. De Cecco, W-H. Ip, J. L. Bertaux, Marco Franceschi, Laurent Jorda, Holger Sierks, J.-B. Vincent, Olivier Groussin, E. Frattin, F. La Forgia, Stefano Debei, Philippe Lamy, Jakob Deller, Maurizio Pajola, Nilda Oklay, Giampiero Naletto, Ekkehard Kührt, Sonia Fornasier, L. M. Lara, V. Da Deppo, Marco Fulle, Jörg Knollenberg, Emanuele Simioni, Sabrina Ferrari, R. Rodrigo, Gabriele Cremonese, Alice Lucchetti, H. U. Keller, Dennis Bodewits, Centro di Ateneo di Studi e Attività Spaziali 'Giuseppe Colombo' (CISAS), Universita degli Studi di Padova, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia 'Galileo Galilei', CNR Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie [Padova] (IFN), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche [Roma] (CNR), Laboratoire d'études spatiales et d'instrumentation en astrophysique (LESIA (UMR_8109)), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de Paris, Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova (OAPD), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), DLR Institut für Planetenforschung, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Berlin] (DLR), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung (MPS), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES), PLANETO - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS), Centro de Astrobiologia [Madrid] (CAB), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Research and Scientific Support Department, ESTEC (RSSD), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), European Space Agency (ESA)-European Space Agency (ESA), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology (CALTECH)-NASA, Fundacion Galileo Galilei, Department of Astronomy [College Park], University of Maryland [College Park], University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System, CNR Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN), Department of Industrial Engineering [Padova], Dipartimento di Geoscienze [Padova], INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste (OAT), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Madrid] (CSIC), Institute of Astronomy [Taiwan] (IANCU), National Central University [Taiwan] (NCU), Space Science Institute [Macau] (SSI), Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Institut für Geophysik und Extraterrestrische Physik [Braunschweig] (IGEP), Technische Universität Braunschweig = Technical University of Braunschweig [Braunschweig], Operations Department (ESAC), European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), Physikalisches Institut [Bern], Universität Bern [Bern], Center for Space and Habitability (CSH), University of Bern, German Centre for Air and Space Travel, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (France), Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Space Agency, Swedish National Space Agency, Ferrari, Sabrina, Penasa, L., La Forgia, F., Massironi, M., Naletto, G., Lazzarin, M., Fornasier, S., Hasselmann, P. H., Lucchetti, A., Pajola, M., Ferri, F., Cambianica, Pamela, Oklay, N., Tubiana, C., Sierks, H., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Davidsson, B., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. -L., Bertini, I., Bodewits, D., Cremonese, G., Da Deppo, V., Debei, S., De Cecco, M., Deller, J., Franceschi, M., Frattin, Elisa, Fulle, M., Groussin, O., Gutiérrez, P. J., Güttler, C., Hviid, S. F., Ip, W. -H., Jorda, L., Keller, H. U., Knollenberg, J., Kührt, E., Küppers, M., Lara, L. M., López-Moreno, J. J., Marzari, F., Shi, X., Simioni, E., Thomas, N., Vincent, J. -B., Università degli Studi di Padova = University of Padua (Unipd), National Research Council of Italy | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung = Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS), Aix Marseille Université (AMU)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse] (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA)-Agence Spatiale Européenne = European Space Agency (ESA), NASA-California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), Universität Bern [Bern] (UNIBE), PSL Research University (PSL)-PSL Research University (PSL)-Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), IMPEC - LATMOS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] (CSIC)-Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas [Spain] (CSIC), and Technische Universität Braunschweig [Braunschweig]

Subjects
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Brightness, Comets: general, Comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Methods: data analysis, Techniques: image processing, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science, 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences, Multispectral image, Comet, Data analysis, Mineralogy, Spatial distribution, 01 natural sciences, Texture (geology), Image processing, individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko [Comets], 0103 physical sciences, medicine, Comets, image processing [Techniques], spectral variegation, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, 0105 earth and related environmental sciences, Physics, [PHYS]Physics [physics], biology, OSIRIS cameras, [SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], 520 Astronomy, general [Comets], Astronomy and Astrophysic, biology.organism_classification, 620 Engineering, Lobe, data analysi [Methods], medicine.anatomical_structure, multiple-filters, Variegation (histology), Osiris
Abstract

Between 2014 and 2016, ESA's Rosetta OSIRIS cameras acquired multiple-filters images of the layered nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, ranging from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths. No correlation between layers disposition and surface spectral variegation has been observed so far. This paper investigates possible spectral differences among decametre-thickness outcropping layers of the biggest lobe of the comet by means of OSIRIS image dataset. A two-classes maximum likelihood classification was applied on consolidated outcrops and relative deposits identified on post-perihelion multispectral images of the big lobe. We distinguished multispectral data on the basis of the structural elevation of the onion-shell Ellipsoidal Model of 67P. The spatial distribution of the two classes displays a clear dependence on the structural elevation, with the innermost class resulting over 50 per cent brighter than the outermost one. Consolidated cometarymaterials located at different structural levels are characterized by different brightness and revealed due to the selective removal of large volumes. This variegation can be attributed to a different texture of the outcrop surface and/or to a different content of refractory materials.© 2018 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society., We are grateful to Paul Helfenstein for corrections that improved our paper. OSIRIS was built by a consortium of the Max-Planck-Institut fur Sonnensystemforschung, in Goottingen, Germany, CISAS-University of Padova, Italy, the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, France, the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia, CSIC, Granada, Spain, the Research and Scientific Support Department of the European Space Agency, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, the Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain, the Universidad Politechnica de Madrid, Spain, the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Uppsala University, Sweden, and the Institut fur Datentechnik und Kommunikationsnetze der Technischen Universitat Braunschweig, Germany. The support of the national funding agencies of Germany (DLR), Italy (ASI), France (CNES), Spain (MEC), Sweden (SNSB), and the ESA Technical Directorate is gratefully acknowledged. We thank the ESA teams at ESAC, ESOC, and ESTEC for their work in support of the Rosetta mission.

Published
2018

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