Shape, density, and geology of the nucleus of Comet 103P/Hartley 2

The detection, localization, and dynamics of large icy particles surrounding Comet 103P/Hartley 2

The Deep Impact Spacecraft flew past Comet 103P/Hartley 2 on November 4th, 2010. Images revealed the comet to be enveloped in a field of debris composed of fine grained dust, ice, and hundreds of discrete millimeter to decimeter sized particles. In this work, a selection of the brightest particles are identified and photogrammetrically located in 3D space to examine their positions and dynamics...

EPOXI: Comet 103P/Hartley 2 observations from a worldwide campaign

EPOXI at comet Hartley 2.

Understanding how comets work--what drives their activity--is crucial to the use of comets in studying the early solar system. EPOXI (Extrasolar Planet Observation and Deep Impact Extended Investigation) flew past comet 103P/Hartley 2, one with an unusually small but very active nucleus, taking both images and spectra. Unlike large, relatively inactive nuclei, this nucleus is outgassing primari...

Telescope Observations of the Nucleus of Comet 103 P / Hartley 2

We have used the Spitzer Space Telescope InfraRed Spectrograph (IRS) 22-μm peakup array to observe thermal emission from the nucleus and trail of comet 103P/Hartley 2, the target of NASA’s Deep Impact Extended Investigation (DIXI). The comet was observed on UT 2008 August 12 and 13, while 5.5 AU from the Sun. We obtained two 200 frame sets of photometric imaging over a 2.7 hr period. To within ...

High-Resolution Bistatic Radar Imaging in Support of Asteroid & Comet Spacecraft Missions

High-resolution imaging of potential targets in advance of any spacecraft mission is important for reducing mission cost and risk and improving science returns. In particular, ground-based radar imaging provides highly-accurate ephemerides and shape and spin state information for objects that pass near the Earth. At higher resolution, radar images show surface features such as boulders and pote...