Observations and analysis of a curved jet in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Lin, Z. -Y.
•
Lai, I. -L.
•
Su, C. -C.
•
Ip, W. -H.
•
Lee, J. -C.
•
Wu, J. -S.
•
Vincent, J. -B.
•
La Forgia, F.
•
Sierks, H.
•
Barbieri, C.
•
Lamy, P. L.
•
Rodrigo, R.
•
Koschny, D.
•
Rickman, H.
•
Keller, H. U.
•
Agarwal, J.
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A'Hearn, M. F.
•
Barucci, M. A.
•
Bertaux, J. -L.
•
Bertini, I.
•
Bodewits, D.
•
•
Da Deppo, V.
•
Davidsson, B.
•
Debei, S.
•
De Cecco, M.
•
Fornasier, S.
•
•
Groussin, O.
•
Gutiérrez, P. J.
•
Güttler, C.
•
Hviid, S. F.
•
Jorda, L.
•
Knollenberg, J.
•
Kovacs, G.
•
Kramm, J. -R.
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Kührt, E.
•
Küppers, M.
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Lara, L. M.
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Lazzarin, M.
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López-Moreno, J. J.
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Lowry, S.
•
Marzari, F.
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Michalik, H.
•
Mottola, S.
•
Naletto, G.
•
Oklay, N.
•
•
Rożek, A.
•
Thomas, N.
•
DOI
Abstract
Aims: We analyze the physical properties and dynamical origin of a curved jet of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko that was observed repeatedly in several nucleus rotations starting on May 30 and persisting until early August, 2015. Methods: We simulated the motion of dust grains ejected from the nucleus surface under the influence of the gravity and viscous drag effect of the expanding gas flow from the rotating nucleus. Results: The formation of the curved jet is a combination of the size of the dust particles (~0.1-1 mm) and the location of the source region near the nucleus equator. This enhances the spiral feature of the collimated dust stream after the dust is accelerated to a terminal speed on the order of m s-1.
Volume
588
Start page
L3
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0004-6361
Ads BibCode
2016A&A...588L...3L
Rights
open.access
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