On the nucleus structure and activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Journal
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Sierks, Holger
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Lamy, Philippe L.
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Rodrigo, Rafael
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Koschny, Detlef
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Rickman, Hans
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Keller, Horst Uwe
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Agarwal, Jessica
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A'Hearn, Michael F.
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Angrilli, Francesco
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Auger, Anne-Therese
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Barucci, M. Antonella
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Bertaux, Jean-Loup
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Besse, Sebastien
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Bodewits, Dennis
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Capanna, Claire
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Da Deppo, Vania
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Davidsson, Björn
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Debei, Stefano
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De Cecco, Mariolino
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Ferri, Francesca
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Gaskell, Robert
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Groussin, Olivier
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Gutierrez-Marques, Pablo
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Gutiérrez, Pedro J.
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Güttler, Carsten
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Hoekzema, Nick
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Hviid, Stubbe F.
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Ip, Wing-Huen
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Jorda, Laurent
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Knollenberg, Jörg
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Kovacs, Gabor
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Kramm, J. Rainer
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Kührt, Ekkehard
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Küppers, Michael
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La Forgia, Fiorangela
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Lara, Luisa M.
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Leyrat, Cédric
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Lopez Moreno, Josè J.
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Magrin, Sara
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Marchi, Simone
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Michalik, Harald
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Moissl, Richard
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Mottola, Stefano
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Oklay, Nilda
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Pertile, Marco
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Preusker, Frank
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Sabau, Lola
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Scholten, Frank
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Snodgrass, Colin
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Thomas, Nicolas
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Vincent, Jean-Baptiste
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Wenzel, Klaus-Peter
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Zaccariotto, Mirco
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Pätzold, Martin
DOI
Abstract
Images from the OSIRIS scientific imaging system onboard Rosetta show that the nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko consists of two lobes connected by a short neck. The nucleus has a bulk density less than half that of water. Activity at a distance from the Sun of >3 astronomical units is predominantly from the neck, where jets have been seen consistently. The nucleus rotates about the principal axis of momentum. The surface morphology suggests that the removal of larger volumes of material, possibly via explosive release of subsurface pressure or via creation of overhangs by sublimation, may be a major mass loss process. The shape raises the question of whether the two lobes represent a contact binary formed 4.5 billion years ago, or a single body where a gap has evolved via mass loss.

Volume
347
Issue
6220
Start page
aaa1044
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0036-8075
Ads BibCode
2015Sci...347a1044S
Rights
restricted
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