Comets and Meteors

  • Eugene F. Milone
  • William J. F. Wilson
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Library book series (AAL)

Abstract

In this and the next chapter, we move away from the planets and look at the small bodies of the solar system. We begin with an indepth look at comets: their orbits and orbital families, the structure and composition of the nucleus (the solid object), the gases and dust surrounding the comet, the ion and dust tails, the cometary magnetosphere, and the origins of comets. The second part of the chapter is concerned with a detailed look at meteors (the flash of light across the sky) and their cause in terms of the heating and ablation of meteoroids plummeting into the Earth’s atmosphere. The chapter concludes with a discussion of interplanetary dust and the effects on it of solar radiation.

Keywords

Solar System Interplanetary Magnetic Field Comet Nucleus Kuiper Belt Oort Cloud 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. A’Hearn, M.F., et al.: Deep impact: excavating comet tempel 1. Science 310, 258–264 (2005)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. A’Hearn, M.F.: Comets as building blocks. Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 49, 281–299 (2011)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Allen, C.W.: Astrophysical Quantities. 3rd ed. The Athlone Press, London (1973)Google Scholar
  4. Bailey, M.E., Stagg, C.R.: The origin of short-period comets. Icarus 86, 2–8 (1990)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. Bailey, M.E., Clube, S.V.M., Napier, W.M.: The Origin of Comets. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1990)Google Scholar
  6. Beatty, J.K., Chaikin, A.: The New Solar System, 3rd edn. Sky Publishing Corp, Cambridge (1990)Google Scholar
  7. Biermann, L.: On the emission of atomic hydrogen in comets. Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder (1968). JILA Report No. 93Google Scholar
  8. Boehnhardt, H.: Split comets. In: Festou, M.C., Keller, H.U., Weaver, H.A. (eds.) Comets II, pp. 301–316. University of Arizona Press, Tucson (2004)Google Scholar
  9. Brandt, J.C., Chapman, R.D.: Introduction to Comets. University Press, Cambridge (1981)Google Scholar
  10. Brown, P., Spalding, R.E., ReVelle, D.O., Tagliaferri, E., Worden, S.P.: The flux of small near-Earth objects colliding with the Earth. Nature. 420, 294–296 (2002)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Brownlee, D., Joswiak, D., Matrajt, G.: Overview of the rocky component of Wild 2 comet samples: Insight into the early solar system, relationship with meteoritic materials and the differences between comets and asteroids. Meteoritics & Planetary Science 47(4), 453–470 (2012)Google Scholar
  12. Bryans, P., Pesnell, W.D. The Extreme-Ultraviolet from Sun-Grazing Comets. Astrophys J, 760, (18), 8pp (2012). doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/760/1/18Google Scholar
  13. Brueckner, G.E., Howard, R.A., Koomen, M.J., Korendyke, C.M., Michels, D.J., Moses, J.D., Socker, D.G., Dere, K.P., Lamy, P.L., Llebaria, A., Bout, M.V., Schwenn, R., Simnett, G.M., Bedford, D.K., Eyles, C.J.: The large angle spectroscopic coronagraph (LASCO). Solar. Phys. 162, 357–402 (1995)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Cajori, F., tr., Sir Isaac Newton’s Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy and his System of the World, revision of A. Motte’s 1729 translation. Reprinting, 1962 (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press)Google Scholar
  15. Campbell-Brown, M.D., Koschny, D.: Model of the ablation of faint meteors. Astron. Astrophys. 418, 751-758 (2004)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Campbell-Brown, M.D., Borovička, J., Brown, P.G., Stokan, E.: High-resolution modelling of meteoroid ablation. Astron. Astrophys. 557, A41 (13pp) (2013)Google Scholar
  17. Caplecha, Z., Borovicka, J., Spurny, P.: The solar system -- dynamical behavior of meteoroids in the atmosphere derived from very precise photographic records. Astron. Astrophys. 357, 1115–1122 (2000)ADSGoogle Scholar
  18. Colangeli, L., Brucato, J.R., Bar-Nun, A., Hudson, R.L., Moore, M.H.: Laboratory experiments on cometary materials. In: Festou, M.C., Keller, H.U., Weaver, H.A. (eds.) Comets II, pp. 695–717. University of Arizona Press, Tucson (2004)Google Scholar
  19. Cravens, T.E., Gombosi, T.I.: Cometary magnetospheres: a tutorial. Adv. Space Res. 33, 1968–1976 (2004)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Cruikshank, D., et al.: The composition of centaur 5145 pholus. Icarus 5, 389–407 (1998)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  21. Danby, J.M.A.: Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics, 1st edn. The Macmillan Company, New York (1962)Google Scholar
  22. Danby, J.M.A.: Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics, 2nd edn. Willmann-Bell, Richmond (1988)Google Scholar
  23. Domingo, V., Fleck, B., Poland, A.I.: The SOHO Mission: an overview. Solar. Phys. 162, 1–37 (1995)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Dubin, M.: Meteor Ionization in the E-region. In: Kaiser, T.R. (ed.) Meteors, pp. 111–118. Pergamon Press, London (1955)Google Scholar
  25. Duncan, M.J., Lissauer, J.J.: Solar System Dynamics. In: Wessman, P.R., McFadden, L.-A., Johnson, T.V. (eds.) Encyclopedia of the Solar System, pp. 809–824. Academic Press, San Diego (1999)Google Scholar
  26. Fernàndez, J.A.: Cometary dynamics. In: Wessman, P.R., McFadden, L.-A., Johnson, T.V. (eds.) Encyclopedia of the Solar System, pp. 537–556. Academic Press, San Diego (1999)Google Scholar
  27. Flynn, G.J.: Extraterrestrial dust in the near-earth environment. In: Murad, E., Williams, I.P. (eds.) Meteors in the Earth’s atmosphere. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2002)Google Scholar
  28. Fornasier, S., Lellouch, E., Müller, T., Santos-Sanz, P., Panuzzo, P., Kiss, C., Lim, T., Mommert, M., Bockelée-Morvan, D., Vilenius, E., Stansberry, J., Tozzi, G. P., Mottola, S., Delsanti, A., Crovisier, J., Duffard, R., Henry, F., Lacerda, P., Barucci, A., & Gicquel A. 2013. TNOs are Cool: A survey of the trans-Neptunian region. Results from the PACS and SPIRE observations with the Herschel Space Observatory. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 14, EGU2012-2878 (2012)Google Scholar
  29. Gingerich, O., Westman, R.S. The Wittich Connection: Conflict and Priority in Late Sixteenth-Century Cosmology. T Am Philos Soc 78, Part 7, (1988)Google Scholar
  30. Gor’kavi, N.N., Ozernoy, L.M., Mather, J.C.: A New approach to dynamical evolution of interplanetary dust. Astrophys. J. 474, 496–502 (1997)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  31. Grün, E., Jessberger, E.K.: Dust. In: Huebner, W.F. (ed.) Physics and Chemistry of Comets, pp. 113–176. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1990)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  32. Harker, D.E., Woodward, C.E., Wooden, D.H.: The dust grains from 9P/tempel 1 before and after encounter with deep impact. Science 310, 278–280 (2005)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Hawkins, G.S.: Meteors, Comets, and Meteorites. McGraw Hill, New York (1964)Google Scholar
  34. Hsieh, H.H., Jewett, D.C., Femandez, Y.R.: The strange case of 133P/Elst-Pizarro: a comet among the asteroids. Astron. J. 127, 2997–3017 (2004)Google Scholar
  35. Hutchison, R.: Meteorites. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2004)Google Scholar
  36. Jenniskens, P.M.: Meteor Showers and their Parent Comets. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2008)Google Scholar
  37. Jenniskens, P.M.: New meteor showers discovered. Sky Telesc 124, 20–25 (2012)Google Scholar
  38. Jewitt, D., Agarwal, J., Weaver, H., Mutchler, M., Larson, S.: The extraordinary multi-tailed Main-Belt Comet P/2013 P5. Astrophys. J. Let. 778: L21 (4pp) (2013)Google Scholar
  39. Kaiser, T.R. (ed.): Meteors. Special Supplement (Vol. II) to the Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics. Pergamon Press, London (1955)Google Scholar
  40. Kelley, D.H., Milone, E.F.: Exploring Ancient Skies, 2nd edn. Springer, New York (2011)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  41. Kidger, M.R., Müller, T., Altieri, B., Abreu, A., Bockelee-Morvan, D., Coia, D., Crovisier, J., González, B., Llorente, A., Lorente, R., Lucas, L., Riedinger, J., Rodríguez, F., Sierra, M. 2012. “Far infrared observation of comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) with the Herschel Space Observatory at r = 29.95AU,” Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 2012, Niigata, Japan. Lunar Planetary Institute Contribution No. 1667, #6321.Google Scholar
  42. Klačka, J., Petržala, J., Pástor, P., and Kómar, L. The Poynting–Robertson effect: A critical perspective. Icarus (2012, in press)Google Scholar
  43. Kreutz, H.C.F. Untersuchungen über das System der Cometen 1843I, 1880I and 1882II, I. Theil,” Publ. Sternwarte Kiel, No. 3 (1888).Google Scholar
  44. Kronk, G.W.: Meteor Showers: A Descriptive Catalog. Enslow Publishers, Inc, Hillside (1988)Google Scholar
  45. Levin, B.J.: Physical theory of meteors and the study of the structure of the complex of meteor bodies. In: Kaiser, T.R. (ed.) Meteors, pp. 131–143. Pergamon Press, London (1955)Google Scholar
  46. Lisse, C.M., Kraemer, K.E., Nuth III, J.A., Li, A., Joswiak, D.: Comparison of the composition of the Tempel 1 ejecta to the dust in Comet C/Hale–Bopp 1995 O1 and YSO HD 100546. Icarus 187, 69–86 (2007)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  47. Marsden, B.G.: On the orbits of some long lost comets. Astron. J. 68, 795–801 (1963)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  48. Marsden, B.G. Periodic Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (1993e). IAU Circular No. 5906, (1993)Google Scholar
  49. Marsden, B.G., Williams, G.V.: Catalogue of Cometary Orbits 1997, 12th edn. Minor Planet Center, Cambridge (1997)Google Scholar
  50. Marsden, B.G., Williams, G.V.: Catalogue of Cometary Orbits 2005, 16th edn. Minor Planet Center, Cambridge (2005)Google Scholar
  51. Meech, K.J., Belton, M.J.S.: The atmosphere of 2060 Chiron. Astron. J. 100, 1323–1338 (1990)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  52. Milam, S.N., Savage, C., Brewster, M.A., Ziurys, L.M., Wyckoff, S.: The12C/13C isotope gradient derived from the millimeter transitions of CN: the case for galactic chemical evolution. Astrophys. J. 634, 1126–1132 (2006)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  53. Milone, E.F., Wilson, W.J.F.: Solar System Astrophysics: Background Science and the Inner Solar System, 2nd edn. Springer, New York (2014)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  54. Moulton, F.R.: An introduction to celestial mechanics. MacMillan, New York (1914). 10th printing, 1951Google Scholar
  55. Mumma, M.J., DiSanti, M.A., Magee-Sauer, K., Bonev, B.P., Villanueva, G.L., Kawakita, H., Dello Russo, N., Gibb, E.L., Blake, G.A., Lyke, J.E., Campbell, R.D., Aycock, J., Conrad, A., Hill, G.M.: Parent volatiles in comet 9P/Tempel 1: before and after impact. Science 310, 270–274 (2005)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  56. Mumma, M.J., Charnley, S.B.: The chemical composition of comets–emerging taxonomies and natal heritage. Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 49, 471–524 (2011)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  57. Murad, E., Williams, I.P. (eds.): Meteors in the Earth’s Atmosphere. Meteoroids and Cosmic Dust and their Interactions with the Earth’s Upper Atmosphere. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (2002)Google Scholar
  58. Murray, C.D., Dermott, S.F.: Solar System Dynamics. University Press, Cambridge (1999). 2nd printing, 2001Google Scholar
  59. Nakashima, D., Ushikubo, T., Joswiak, D.J., Brownlee, D.E., Matrajt, G., Weisberg, M.K., Zolensky, M.E., Kita, N.T.: Oxygen isotopes in crystalline silicates of comet Wild 2: A comparison of oxygen isotope systematics between Wild 2 particles and chondritic materials. Earth and Planet. Sci. Lets. 357–358, 355–365 (2012)Google Scholar
  60. Newton, I. Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. See Cajori, 1934 (1686)Google Scholar
  61. Origen of Alexandria. 3rd c. Contra Celsus, tr. Crombie, in Roberts and Donaldson/Coxe, repr. 1994, pp. 422–423; excerpt appears in Kelley and Milone 2011, p. 134.Google Scholar
  62. Peale, S.J.: On the density of Halley’s comet. Icarus 82, 36–49 (1989)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  63. Poynting, J.H.: Radiation in the solar system: its effect on temperature and its pressure on small bodies. Proc. Royal Soc. Lond. 72, 265–267 (1903)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  64. Richardson, J.E., Melosh, H.J., Lisse, C.M., Carcich, B.: A ballistics analysis of the Deep Impact ejecta plume: determining Comet Tempel 1’s gravity, mass, and density. Icarus 190, 357–390 (2007)Google Scholar
  65. Richardson, J.E., Melosh, H.J. An examination of the deep impact collision site on Comet Tempel 1 via Stardust-NExT: placing further constraints on cometary surface properties. Icarus. 222, 492–501 (2013)Google Scholar
  66. Rietmeijer, F.J.M.: Collected extraterrestrial materials: interplanetary dust particles, micrometeorites, meteorites, and meteoric dust. In: Murad, E., Williams, I.P. (eds.) Meteors in the Earth’s Atmosphere, pp. 215–245. Cambridge University Press), Cambridge (2002)Google Scholar
  67. Robertson, H.P.: Dynamical effects of radiation in the solar system. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 97, 423–438 (1937)ADSMATHGoogle Scholar
  68. Ronan, C.A., Needham, J.: The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China: an Abridgement of Joseph Needham’s Original Text. University Press, Cambridge (1981)Google Scholar
  69. Schaefer, L., Fegley Jr., B.: Application of an equilibrium vaporization model to the ablation of chondritic and achondritic meteoroids. Earth, Moon, and Planets. 95, 413–423 (2004)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  70. Sekanina, Z.: Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann nucleus fragmentation, its light-curve signature, and close approach to earth in 2006. Int. Comet Quart. 27, 225–240 (2005)ADSGoogle Scholar
  71. Skorov, Y., Blum, J.: Dust release and tensile strength of the non-volatile layer of cometary nuclei. Icarus 221, 1–11 (2012)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  72. Stagg, C.R., Bailey, M.E.: Stochastic capture of short-period comets. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 241, 507–541 (1989)ADSGoogle Scholar
  73. Strange, H.L., Longuski, J.M.: Graphical method for gravity-assist trajectory design. J. Spacecraft. Rock. 39, 9–16 (2002)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  74. Sugita, S., et al.: Subaru telescope observations of deep impact. Science 310, 274–278 (2005)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  75. Sunshine, M., et al.: Exposed water Ice deposits on the surface of Comet 9P/Tempel 1. Science 311, 1453–1455 (2005)Google Scholar
  76. Szabó, G.M., Kiss, L.L., Pál, A., Kiss, C., Sárneczky, K., Juhász, A., Hogerheijde, M.R.: Evidence for fresh frost layer on the bare nucleus of Comet Hale-Bopp at 32 au distance. Astrophys J 761(8), 7pp (2012). doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/761/1/8 ADSGoogle Scholar
  77. Taylor, S.R.: Solar System Evolution: A New Perspective. University Press, Cambridge (1992)Google Scholar
  78. Williams, I.P.: The evolution of meteoroid streams. In: Murad, E., Williams, I.P. (eds.) Meteors in the Earth’s Atmosphere, pp. 13–32. University Press, Cambridge (2002)Google Scholar
  79. Wyckoff, S., Kleine, M., Peterson, B.A., Wehinger, P.A., Ziurys, L.M.: Carbon isotope abundances in comets. Astrophys J 535, 991–999 (2000)ADSCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  80. Yeomans, D.K.: Comets: a Chronological History of Observation, Science, Myth, and Folklore. Wiley, New York (1991)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • Eugene F. Milone
    • 1
  • William J. F. Wilson
    • 1
  1. 1.Dept. Physics & AstronomyUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryCanada

Personalised recommendations