The Lyman-alpha observations of comet Kohoutek from Mariner 10

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (4) References (20) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Lyman-alpha observations of comet Kohoutek from Mariner 10. Kumar, S. ; Holberg, J. ; Broadfoot, A. L. ; Belton, M. J. S. Abstract The paper presents the Lyman-alpha data from postperihelion observations of comet Kohoutek made with Mariner 10 UV spectrometer during the 1974 January 11-24 period when the comet distance from the sun varied from 0.521 AU to 0.860 AU. These data are analyzed to determine the hydrogen production rates. It is noted that observations against the low interplanetary background allowed a measurement of the hydrogen corona over 30 million km (or 15 minutes) as seen from the Mariner 10 spacecraft. The bulk of the observations can be fitted with a non-steady-state model assuming two velocity components (20 km/sec and 8 km/sec) of equal proportions. A 70% increase in the hydrogen production rate is found within 2 days from January 17 to 19 while the comet receded from the sun. Finally, it is noted that the postperihelion production rates from the Mariner 10 observations are comparable to the preperihelion production rates reported previously. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1979 DOI: 10.1086/157320 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...232..616K Keywords: Kohoutek Comet; Lyman Alpha Radiation; Mariner 10 Space Probe; Spaceborne Astronomy; Ultraviolet Spectroscopy; Astronomical Models; Data Reduction; Hydrogen Production; Transient Response; KOHOUTEK; COMET; MARINER 10; ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROMETER; MODELS; HYDROGEN; COMAE; SPECTRUM; PRODUCTION RATES; OBSERVATIONS; DATA; BRIGHTNESS; LYMAN-ALPHA RADIATION; COMET TAILS; COMET HEADS; PARAMETERS; FLUX; VELOCITY; SOLAR RADIATION; CORONAS; Astrophysics; Comets; Comet 1973 XII Kohoutek; Comets:Hydrogen; Comets:Lyman Alpha full text sources ADS |