Modeling the Dynamics of Cometary Fragments: Application to Comet C/1996 B2 Hyakutake

✍ Scribed by E. Desvoivres; J. Klinger; A.C. Levasseur-Regourd; G.H. Jones

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 212 KB
• Volume: 144
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0019-1035
• DOI: 10.1006/icar.1999.6272

✦ Synopsis

A tridimensional model for the dynamics of cometary fragments is presented, using a direct integration of the vectorial sum of forces. This model is validated with a complete set of images of Comet C/1996 B2 Hyakutake, between March 22 and April 6, 1996, UT, by making the assumption that the bright condensations visible in the near-nucleus coma were minicomae surrounding nucleus fragments. It is concluded that the observations can be explained with the emission of a major fragment on March 21.4, 1996, UT, accompanied by six minor fragments. The emission of that major fragment followed an increase in the comet's activity by a few days. The main consequences for cometary space missions are discussed.