67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko - potential target for the Rosetta mission

dc.creatorKrolikowska, Malgorzata
dc.date2003-09-04
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T06:22:52Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T06:22:52Z
dc.descriptionAn influence of the non-gravitational effects on the motion of short-period comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is investigated. It was found that the normal component of the non-gravitational force exceeds the transverse one and a model of the motion including A_1, A_2, A_3 better fits the observations than model neglecting A_3. Assuming asymmetry in g(r) with respect to the perihelion the large value of displacement τwas derived (about 34 days), and very small negative value of transverse component A_2 was obtained. The models of rotating non-spherical nucleus also suggest the large shift of light curve with respect to perihelion (τgreater than 30 days). The forced precession model of 67P with τ= 34 days gives a prolate spheroidal shape of the rotating nucleus with axial ratio R_b/R_a = 1.16, rotational period to equatorial radius P_{rot}/R_a = 4.6\pm 1.4 hrs/km, and torque factor f_{tor}=3\cdot 10^5 day/AU. The much larger τ= 54 days gives distinctly prolate shape of nucleus with axial ratio R_b/R_a = 1.71. The orientation of spin axis of the nucleus and its evolution are presented. The past and the future dynamical evolution of comet 67P is also widely discussed.
dc.description15 pages, 6 figures
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0309130
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0309130
dc.identifierActa Astron. 53 (2003) 195-209
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/96047
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.title67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko - potential target for the Rosetta mission
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