First Results from TESS Observations of Comet 46P/Wirtanen

Farnham, Tony L. and Kelley, Michael S. P. and Knight, Matthew M. and Feaga, Lori M. (2019) First Results from TESS Observations of Comet 46P/Wirtanen. The Astrophysical Journal, 886 (2). L24. ISSN 2041-8213

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ab564d

Abstract

We report on initial results from 20 days' worth of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite spacecraft observations of comet 46P/Wirtanen. The long-duration, high-cadence measurements show a 2018 September 26 outburst that exhibited a two-phase, 0.5 mag brightening profile, and may be the best temporally characterized natural outburst ever recorded. Gas velocities from the outburst peaked at 800 ${\rm{m}}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$, while dust expanded at only 10s of ${\rm{m}}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}$. Coadded images also revealed a previously unreported dust trail that extends beyond the 24° field of view.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Euro Archives > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User:	Managing Editor
Date Deposited:	30 May 2023 10:59
Last Modified:	01 Dec 2023 12:07
URI:	http://publish7promo.com/id/eprint/2609

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