On the existence of small comets and their interactions with planets |
| |
Authors: | J C Brandt M F A'Hearn C E Randall D G Schleicher E M Shoemaker and A I F Stewart |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park;(2) Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona |
| |
Abstract: | Arguments are presented for a substantial, unexplored population of comets with radii less than 1 km. Known examples confirm this population and extrapolation of any plausible size-distribution function indicates large numbers. However, their accurate numbers, orbital characteristics, and physical properties are unknown. Thus, even though the small comets may be the most frequent cometary bodies impacting the planets, a quantitative evaluation is not currently possible. We advocate an optimized, dedicated search program to characterize this population.Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at BoulderLaboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at BoulderLaboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado at Boulder |
| |
Keywords: | Comets small search program planets |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|