compared to short-period comets for which we submitted a similar program to observe their nucleus, a new comet will have retain even more pristine clues of the processes which took place during the formation of the solar system. it is possible that a new bright comet will be observable during the time of iso observations. we propose to study the nucleus of such a new comet by measuring its thermal emission in the 8-15 micron spectral band as a function of time over approximately 15 hours i.e., the longest period of time during a single orbit. as demonstrated by ground-based observations under favorable conditions of a few comets devoid of coma (e.g., comet p/arend-rigaux), the thermal light curve allows to determine, under minimal assumptions, the size and shape of the nucleus and to study its rotational properties. compared to our program concerning short-period comets, we propose here an independent determination of the surface temperature by using 4 narrow- band filters as made possible by the expected large flux of the nucleus. we shall also observe, as a by-product, the thermal emission from the innermost dust coma and shall study possible dust structures and follow their temporal evolution.
Instrument
CAM01
Temporal Coverage
1996-10-01T14:08:48Z/1996-10-13T06:13:47Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the worlds first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
