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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Advances in Space Re...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Advances in Space Research
Article . 2006 . Peer-reviewed
License: Elsevier TDM
Data sources: Crossref
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Infrared observations of comets with the Spitzer Space Telescope

Authors: R.D. Gehrz; W.T. Reach; C.E. Woodward; M.S. Kelley;

Infrared observations of comets with the Spitzer Space Telescope

Abstract

Abstract The scientific motivation for infrared studies of comets is reviewed and the capabilities of Spitzer for cometary observations are described. We present Spitzer Space Telescope images and spectra of several comet comae, tails, and debris trails. Spitzer observations of Comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 are reviewed. The 24 μm images of the inner coma reveal structure consistent with jet activity on a rotating nucleus that otherwise appears to be ablating according to the “standard model”. Spitzer spectra of the coma and nucleus indicate that the nucleus is large ( R = 27 ± 5 km) and that the grains released from the nucleus have compositions similar to that of the grains in some stellar debris disks. Debris trails of several comets have now been imaged with Spitzer. The debris trail of Comet 2P/Encke is particularly noteworthy because its uniform intensity is consistent with the interpretation that the entire orbit is well populated by sand to gravel sized particles. A thermal infrared search for debris trails of several comets is described. We present a Spitzer spectrum of C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) showing that the grains populating its coma at a heliocentric distance of 3.3 AU are substantially larger than the grains in the comae of more pristine comets. Spitzer 3.6–8 μm images of C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) reveal a high-quality image of the extended dust tail.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
6
Average
Average
Average
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