High Resolution Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of Comet Fragments 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-B, C

Ronald J. Oliversen, E. J. Mierkiewicz, J. Morgenthaler, W. M. Harris, M. Kokorowski, A. Kidder, T. Schnackenberg, J. Carpena-Nunez, T. Hall, L. Haffner

Research output: Contribution to conferencePresentation

Abstract

In May 2006, comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (SW3) made a spectacular close approach to the Earth. During its 1995 apparition, the comet fragmented into several pieces. One of the brighter components, SW3-B, fragmented into dozens of pieces during the 2006 apparition while another bright fragment, SW3-C did not. Understanding the difference between these two fragments will contribute significantly to our understanding of cometary interiors.

We performed observations of SW3-B and SW3-C from Kitt Peak using the Fabry-Perot spectrometers at the McMath-Pierce (MMP) telescope from April 29 - May 10 and at the Wisconsin Hydrogen Alpha Mapper (WHαM) from May 1 - 6, 2006. This period is significant due to its proximity to perigee, overlap with complementary observations, and coincidence with the onset and decline-phase of a major outburst/fragmentation event from SW3-B. The MMP and WHAM Fabry-Perot spectrometers made high resolution measurements of [O I] and NH2 emissions near 6300 Å at δV = 5 km/s and 12 km/s with 4.5 arcmin and 1 degree fields of view, respectively. Many of the spectra separate the cometary and terrestrial [O I] lines and allow determination of water production rates. We report the preliminary analysis of these data, including discussion of the radial distribution of emissions, a comparison activity levels between the two fragments, and a comparison with complementary production rate measurements made over the same period. In addition, following the SW3-B May 9 outburst, H20+ measurements near 6200 Å were made to map the acceleration of water ions near the head and down the tail.
Original languageAmerican English
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes
Event38th American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting - Pasadena, CA
Duration: Oct 1 2006 → …

Conference

Conference38th American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting
Period10/1/06 → …

Keywords

  • Comet 73P/ Schwassman-Wachmann 3
  • cometary comae
  • comets

Disciplines

  • Astrophysics and Astronomy

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