Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly
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Abstract
During the last two minutes before closest approach of Deep Space 1 to Comet 19P/Borrelly, a long exposure was made with the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) imaging spectrometer. The observation yielded 46 spectra covering 1.3–2.6 μm; the footprint of each spectrum was ∼160 m × width of the nucleus. Borrelly's highly variegated and extremely dark 8-km-long nucleus exhibits a strong red slope in its short-wavelength infrared reflection spectrum. This slope is equivalent to J–K and H–K colors of ∼0.82 and ∼0.43, respectively. Between 2.3–2.6 μm thermal emission is clearly detectable in most of the spectra. These data show the nucleus surface to be hot and dry; no trace of H2O ice was detected. The surface temperature ranged continuously across the nucleus from ⩽300 K near the terminator to a maximum of ∼340 K, the expected sub-solar equilibrium temperature for a slowly rotating body. A single absorption band at ∼2.39 μm is quite evident in all of the spectra and resembles features seen in nitrogen-bearing organic molecules that are reasonable candidates for compositional components of cometary nuclei. However as of yet the source of this band is unknown.
Suggested Citation
Soderblom, L.A., Britt, D., Brown, R.H., Buratti, B.J., Kirk, R.L., Owen, T., and Yelle, R., 2004, Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly: Icarus, v. 167, no. 1, p. 100-112, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2003.08.019.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Short-wavelength infrared (1.3-2.6 μm) observations of the nucleus of Comet 19P/Borrelly |
| Series title | Icarus |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.icarus.2003.08.019 |
| Volume | 167 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 13 p. |
| First page | 100 |
| Last page | 112 |
| Other Geospatial | Comet Borrelly |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |