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Presentation
High Resolution Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of Comet Fragments 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-B, C
38th American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting (2006)
  • Ronald J. Oliversen, Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)
  • E. J. Mierkiewicz, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • J. Morgenthaler, University of Washington
  • W. M. Harris, University of Washington
  • M. Kokorowski, University of Washington
  • A. Kidder, University of Washington
  • T. Schnackenberg, University of Washington
  • J. Carpena-Nunez, University of Puerto Rico
  • T. Hall, St. Cloud State University
  • L. Haffner, University of Wisconsin - Madison
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.
Keywords
  • Comet 73P/ Schwassman-Wachmann 3,
  • cometary comae,
  • comets
Publication Date
October, 2006
Location
Pasadena, CA
Comments
Abstract # 12.02. Also published in the Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, vol. 38, page 503.
Citation Information
Ronald J. Oliversen, E. J. Mierkiewicz, J. Morgenthaler, W. M. Harris, et al.. "High Resolution Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of Comet Fragments 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3-B, C" 38th American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/edwin_mierkiewicz/46/