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arXiv 1106.0045astro-ph.EP
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主带彗星238 P/读再访

Main-Belt Comet 238P/Read Revisited

Henry H. Hsieh, Karen J. Meech, Jana Pittichova

摘要:

我们提出了一系列的观察活动的回归主带彗星238 P/读取。利用2010年7月和8月238 P似乎基本不活跃时获得的数据,我们发现最佳拟合的IAU相函数参数为H=19.05+/-0.05 mag,对应于核半径rn ~ 0.4 km(假设p_R=0.05),G=-0.03+/-0.05。从2010年9月开始的观测显示,活动明显增加,导致可见形态的显著变化和光度过度增加,超出了裸核观测的预期。在这里报告的观测期结束时,彗发中的尘埃质量显示出达到与2005年观测到的水平相当的迹象,但一旦238 P在2011年中期再次从地球上观测到,我们非常鼓励进一步的观测,以确认是否达到了这种活动水平,或者与2005年相比,是否可以检测到活动强度显着下降。238 P彗星是继133 P/埃尔斯特-皮萨罗之后第二颗被观测到周期性活动的主带彗星,这有力地证实了它是一颗真正的彗星,其活动是由挥发性冰的升华驱动的。

英文摘要:

We present a series of observations of the return of activity in main-belt comet 238P/Read. Using data obtained in July and August 2010 when 238P appeared to be largely inactive, we find best-fit IAU phase function parameters of H=19.05+/-0.05 mag, corresponding to a nucleus radius of r_n ~ 0.4 km (assuming an albedo of p_R=0.05), and G=-0.03+/-0.05. Observations from September 2010 onward show a clear rise in activity, causing both a notable change in visible morphology and increasing photometric excesses beyond what would be expected based on bare nucleus observations. By the end of the observing period reported on here, the dust mass in the coma shows indications of reaching a level comparable to that observed in 2005, but further observations are highly encouraged once 238P again becomes observable from Earth in mid-2011 to confirm whether this level of activity is achieved, or if a notable decrease in activity strength compared to 2005 can be detected. Comet 238P is now the second main-belt comet (after 133P/Elst-Pizarro) observed to exhibit recurrent activity, providing strong corroboration for the conclusion that it is a true comet whose active episodes are driven by sublimation of volatile ice.

机构、总结、中文摘要均由AI分析而来,可能存在错误,请以论文正文为准。

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