Rosetta’s comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko sheds its dusty mantle to reveal its icy nature

Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Fornasier, S.
•
Mottola, S.
•
Keller, H. U.
•
Barucci, M. A.
•
Davidsson, B.
•
Feller, C.
•
Deshapriya, J. D. P.
•
Sierks, H.
•
Barbieri, C.
•
Lamy, P. L.
•
Rodrigo, R.
•
Koschny, D.
•
Rickman, H.
•
A'Hearn, M.
•
Agarwal, J.
•
Bertaux, J. -L.
•
Bertini, I.
•
Besse, S.
•
•
Da Deppo, V.
•
Debei, S.
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De Cecco, M.
•
Deller, J.
•
El-Maarry, M. R.
•
•
Groussin, O.
•
Gutierrez, P. J.
•
Güttler, C.
•
Hofmann, M.
•
Hviid, S. F.
•
Ip, W. -H.
•
Jorda, L.
•
Knollenberg, J.
•
Kovacs, G.
•
Kramm, R.
•
Kührt, E.
•
Küppers, M.
•
Lara, M. L.
•
Lazzarin, M.
•
Moreno, J. J. Lopez
•
Marzari, F.
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Massironi, M.
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Naletto, G.
•
Oklay, N.
•
•
Pommerol, A.
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Preusker, F.
•
Scholten, F.
•
Shi, X.
•
Thomas, N.
•
Toth, I.
•
•
Vincent, J. -B.
DOI
Abstract
The Rosetta spacecraft has investigated comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from large heliocentric distances to its perihelion passage and beyond. We trace the seasonal and diurnal evolution of the colors of the 67P nucleus, finding changes driven by sublimation and recondensation of water ice. The whole nucleus became relatively bluer near perihelion, as increasing activity removed the surface dust, implying that water ice is widespread underneath the surface. We identified large (1500 square meters) ice-rich patches appearing and then vanishing in about 10 days, indicating small-scale heterogeneities on the nucleus. Thin frosts sublimating in a few minutes are observed close to receding shadows, and rapid variations in color are seen on extended areas close to the terminator. These cyclic processes are widespread and lead to continuously, slightly varying surface properties.

Volume
354
Issue
6319
Start page
1566
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0036-8075
Ads BibCode
2016Sci...354.1566F
Rights
open.access
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