Dynamical evolution of comets and the problem of cometary fading

✍ Scribed by V. V. Emel'yanenko; M. E. Bailey

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 337 KB
• Volume: 72
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1573-0794
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00117500

✦ Synopsis

Possibilities

to explain the observed l/a-distribution are discussed in the light of improved understanding of the dynamical evolution of long-period comets. It appears that the 'fading problem' applies both to single-injection and continuous-injection models. Although uncertainties due to nongravitational effects do not allow detailed results to be drawn from the observed l/a-distribution at small perihelion distance q, that for q 2 1.5 AU

shows that a constant fading probability cannot explain all the features of the observed distribution.

Assuming that comets can reappear following a period of fading, values for the assumed constant fading and renewal probabilities, and the total cometary flux have been estimated

for q > 1.5AU.