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Rotation and precession of comet Halley

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Abstract

Measurements obtained during the recent appearance of comet Halley suggest that its nucleus undergoes free and forced precession motions. Periodicities of 2.2 and 7.4 days can be explained by a 2.2-day rotation about the minor axis and a free-precessional period of 14.8 days.

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  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, D-3411, Katlenburg-Lindau, FRG

    Klaus Wilhelm

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  1. Klaus Wilhelm
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Wilhelm, K. Rotation and precession of comet Halley. Nature 327, 27–30 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/327027a0

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