Investigation of Halley's Comet dust size distribution by Vega-2 interplanetary station visual spectra analysis

Penka Stoeva; Rolf Werner; Veneta Guineva; Stoyanka Staykova

doi:10.1117/12.347641

7 May 1999 Investigation of Halley's Comet dust size distribution by Vega-2 interplanetary station visual spectra analysis

Penka Stoeva, Rolf Werner, Veneta Guineva, Stoyanka Staykova

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3571, Tenth International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.347641
Event: 10th International School on Quantum Electronics: Lasers: Physics and Applications, 1998, Varna, Bulgaria

Abstract

Spectra in the visible region measured on board the Vega-2 station are analyzed to obtain the solar spectrum continuum reflected by the dust particles in the Halley comet coma. It is suggested to determine the continuum level for every individual spectrum. By the time of Vega encounter, the concentration and distribution of particles around the comet has changed. This resulted in a different spectral indices for spectra measured in different time. The cumulative size index has been calculated for each specific spectrum by linear regression on the basis of a random number of dust points. Eleven dust continuum wavelengths are selected. The spectral index shows the mean particle size in the line of sight column around the nucleus (values calculated for 1019 spectra are in the interval of 2.85 - 3.48). Its change with the radial distance to the nucleus is discussed. The continuum spectra are calculated with the obtained values of the spectral index and are normalized to the real spectra on the minimum of interval of +/- 15 pixels in relation to the specific dust intensity, with the help of a linear regression. The continuum spectrum follows well the course of the specific Halley's comet spectrum.

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Penka Stoeva, Rolf Werner, Veneta Guineva, and Stoyanka Staykova "Investigation of Halley's Comet dust size distribution by Vega-2 interplanetary station visual spectra analysis", Proc. SPIE 3571, Tenth International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications, (7 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.347641

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