Search for Activity in 3200 Phaethon
نویسندگان
چکیده
We present deep optical imaging of Geminid meteor stream parent 3200 Phaethon taken in search of low-level cometary activity (i.e., coma or dust trail). Although no unambiguous cometary behavior was observed, we find an upper limit on the object’s cometary mass-loss rate of Ṁlim 0:01 kg s . The corresponding active fraction (the fraction of the surface area that could consist of freely sublimating water ice) is f 7 ; 10 , at least 2 orders of magnitude smaller than other known comets. Subject headingg s: comets: general — meteors, meteoroids — minor planets, asteroids
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