Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Coma Composition and Evolution of Rosetta Target Comet 46P/Wirtanen

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Comet 46P/Wirtanen is the target comet of the ROSETTA mission. Here, we give an overview of the information currently available on this comet from remote-sensing observations. Main emphasis is put on the description of the coma in terms of morphology, composition and evolution. We also summarize the current knowledge of the basic properties of the nucleus, in particular its size and rotational properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • A'Hearn, M.F., Millis, R.L., Schleicher, D.G., Osip, D.J. and Birch, P.V.: 1995, ‘The Ensemble Properties of Comets: Results from Narrowband Photometry of 85 Comets’, 1976–92, Icarus 118, 223–270.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bertaux, J.-L., Costa, J., Makkinen, T., Quémerais, E., Lellement, R., Kyröl¨a, E. and Schmidt, W.: 1998, ‘Lyman-alpha Observations of Comet 46P/Wirtanen with SWAN on SOHO: H2O Production Rate near 1997 Perihelion’, Plan. Space Sci. 46, in press.

  • Boehnhardt, H., Rauer, H., Motolla, S. and Nathus, A.: 1996, ‘Comet P/Wirtanen’, IAU Circ. 6392.

  • Boehnhardt, H., Babion, J. and West, R.M.: 1997a, Astron. Astrophys. 320, 642–651.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Boehnhardt, H., Fiedler, A., Geffert, M. and Sanner, J.: 1997b, ESA Contract Report.

  • Cartwright, I.M., Fitzsimmons, A., Williams, I.P. and Kemp, S.N.: 1997, ‘CCD photometry of comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Plan. Space Sci. 45, 821–826.

  • Colangeli, L., Bussoletti, E., Cecchi Pestellini, C., Fulle, M., Mennella, V., Palumbo, P. and Rotundi, A.: 1998, ‘ISOCAM Imaging of Comets 65P/Gunn and 46P/Wirtanen’, Icarus 134, 35–46.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Crovisier, J., Biver, N., Bockelée-Morvan, Colom, P., Gérard, E. and Rauer, H.: 1999, ‘Radio observations of the OH radical in comets 46P/Wirtanen and 81P/Wild 2’, to be published.

  • Farnham, T.L. and Schleicher, D.G.: 1998, ‘Narrowband photometric results for comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L50–L55.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Festou, M.C.: 1981, ‘The density distribution of neutral compounds in cometary atmospheres. I. Models and equations’, Astron. Astrophys. 95, 69–79.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Festou, M.C., Tozzi, G.P., Smaldone, A., Felenbok, P., Falciani, R. and Zucconi, J.-M.: 1990, ‘Did an outburst occur on 4 December 1985 in Halley's comet?’ Astron. Astrophys. 227, 609–618.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fink, U., Fevig, R.A. Tegler, S.C. and Romanishin, W.: 1997, ‘CCD imaging and photometry of 46P/Wirtanen during October 1996’, Plan. Space Sci. 45, 1383–1387.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fink, U., Hicks, M.D., Fevig, R.A. and Collins, J.: 1998, ‘Spectroscopy of 46P/Wirtanen during its 1997 apparition’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L37–L45.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hainaut, O. and West, R.M.: 1996, MPC 27351.

  • Jockers, K., Credner, T. and Bonev, T.: 1998, ‘Water ions, dust and CN in comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L56–L59.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jorda, L. and Rickman, H.: 1995, ‘Comet P/Wirtanen, summary of observational data’, Plan. Space Sci. 43, 575–579.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lamy, P.I., Toth, I., Jorda, L., Weaver, H.A. and A'Hearn, M.F.: 1998, ‘The nucleus and the inner coma of Comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L25–L29.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Meech, K.J., Bauer, J.M. and Hainaut, O.R.: 1997, ‘Rotation of Comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Astron. Astrophys. 326, 1268–1277.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C.: 1994, ‘The light curve of comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Int. Comet Q 92, 178–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samarasinha, N.H., Mueller, B.E.A. and Belton, M.J.S.: 1996, ‘Comments on the Rotational State and Non-Gravitational Forces of Comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Plan. Space Sci. 44, 275–281.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schleicher, D.G.: 1983, ‘The Fluorescence of OH and CN’, Thesis, Deparment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, pp. 108–110.

  • Schleicher, D.G. and A'Hearn, M.F.: 1988, ‘The fluorescence of cometary OH’, Astrophys. J. 331, 1058–1077.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwehm, G. and Schulz, R.: 1999, ‘ROSETTA goes to comet Wirtanen’, Space Sci. Rev., this volume.

  • Schulz, R., A'Hearn, M.F., Birch, P.V., Bowers, C., Kempin,M. and Martin, R.: 1993, ‘CCD Imaging of Comet Wilson (1987VII): A Quantitative Coma Analysis’, Icarus 104, 206–225.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, R., Arpigny, C., Manfroid, J., Stüwe, J.A., Tozzi, G.P., Rembor, K., Cremonese, G. and Peschke, S.: 1998, ‘Spectral evolution of ROSETTA target comet 46P/Wirtanen’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L46–L49.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, S.A., Parker, J.Wm., Festou, M.C., A'Hearn, M.F., Feldman, P.D., Schwehm, G., Schulz, R., Bertaux, J.-L. and Slater, D.C.: 1998, ‘HST mid-ultraviolet spectroscopy of comet 46P/Wirtanen during its approach to perihelion in 1996–1997’, Astron. Astrophys. 335, L30–L36.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. R. Schulz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Schwehm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schulz, R., Schwehm, G. Coma Composition and Evolution of Rosetta Target Comet 46P/Wirtanen. Space Science Reviews 90, 321–328 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005235122848

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005235122848

Search

Navigation