Optical observations of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
From longslit spectra obtained during the 1996 perihelion passage of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a CN production rate of molecules was determined and an upper limit for the production rate of molecules was derived. The dust color and dust activity were determined from the continuum light in the spectra. A neutral dust color was determined between 4070 Å and 4600 Å. The CN production rate and the Afρ parameter, determined to cm, were similar to the values of the 1982 perihelion passage, indicating that the comet's activity did not change significantly in recent orbital passages. A first crude estimate of the dust production rate indicates a high dust to gas mass ratio. R-filter images taken in March 2003 were used to study the dust coma morphology. Two jet structures were seen in the coma; these structures show no variations within the observing period from March 7 to May 30, 2003. The orientation of these stationary structures suggests an inclination of the rotation axis of the nucleus of approximately with respect to the orbital plane.