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Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observing campaign on comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
H A Weaver1, M F A'Hearn, C Arpigny
1Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD 21218.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 3, 1995
Summary
Hubble observations of comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 revealed continuous cometary activity and fragmentations after its breakup. These events suggest distinct nuclei, not just debris, possibly triggered by Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy
- Planetary Science
- Cometary Science
Background:
- Comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) fragmented and impacted Jupiter.
- Hubble Space Telescope (HST) provided systematic observations of the comet fragments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Hubble observations of comet SL9.
- To determine fragment sizes, cometary activity, and fragmentation behavior.
- To investigate potential causes of observed emissions.
Main Methods:
- Deconvolution of Wide Field Planetary Camera images to estimate fragment diameters.
- Analysis of cometary activity through observation of inner comae.
- Spectroscopic observations to detect emissions (e.g., magnesium ion, continuum, OH).
Main Results:
- Fragment diameters estimated between <1 to 4 km.
- Continuous, weak cometary activity observed until late June 1994.
- Post-breakup fragmentation of nuclei observed, challenging debris swarm hypotheses.
- Magnesium ion and continuum emission outbursts detected, possibly due to electrostatic charging in Jupiter's magnetosphere.
- Upper limit on H2O production rate determined, not indicating a water-poor object.
Conclusions:
- Comet SL9 fragments possessed distinct nuclei and exhibited ongoing activity.
- Interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere may have triggered energetic events.
- Hubble observations provided crucial data on cometary dynamics and composition.
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