Tidal Disruption of Periodic Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 and a Constraint on Its Mean Density

Abstract

The apparent tidal disruption of Periodic Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (1993e) during a close encounter within ∼1.62 planetary radii of Jupiter can be used along with theoretical models of tidal disruption to place an upper bound on the density of the predisruption body. Depending on the theoretical model used, these upper bounds range from ρ c < 0.702 ± 0.080 g cm -3 for a simple analytical model calibrated by numerical smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations to ρ c < 1.50 ± 0.17 g cm -3 for a detailed semianalytical model. The quoted uncertainties stem from an assumed uncertainty in the perijove radius. However, the uncertainty introduced by the different theoretical models is the major source of error; this uncertainty could be eliminated by future SPH simulations specialized to cometary disruptions, including the effects of initially prolate, spinning comets. If the SPH-based upper bound turns out to be most appropriate, it would be consistent with the predisruption body being a comet with a relatively low density and porous structure, as has been asserted previously based on observations of cometary outgassing. Regardless of which upper bound is preferable, the models all agree that the predisruption body could not have been a relatively high-density body, such as an asteroid with ρ ≈ 2 g cm -3.