Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

W. H. Ip; I. L. Lai; J. C. Lee; Y. C. Cheng; Y. Li; Z. Y. Lin; J. B. Vincent; S. Besse; H. Sierks; C. Barbieri; P. L. Lamy; R. Rodrigo; D. Koschny; H. Rickman; H. U. Keller; J. Agarwal; M. F. A'Hearn; M. A. Barucci; J. L. Bertaux; I. Bertini; D. Bodewits; S. Boudreault; G. Cremonese; V. Da Deppo; B. Davidsson; S. Debei; M. De Cecco; M. R. El-Maarry; S. Fornasier; M. Fulle; O. Groussin; P. J. Gutiérrez; C. Güttler; S. F. Hviid; L. Jorda; J. Knollenberg; G. Kovacs; J. R. Kramm; E. Kührt; M. Küppers; F. La Forgia; L. M. Lara; M. Lazzarin; J. J. López-Moreno; S. Lowry; S. Marchi; F. Marzari; H. Michalik; S. Mottola; G. Naletto; N. Oklay; M. Pajola; N. Thomas; E. Toth; C. Tubiana

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

W. H. Ip
, I. L. Lai
, J. C. Lee
, Y. C. Cheng
, Y. Li
, Z. Y. Lin
, J. B. Vincent
, S. Besse
, H. Sierks
, C. Barbieri
, P. L. Lamy
, R. Rodrigo
, D. Koschny
, H. Rickman
, H. U. Keller
, J. Agarwal
, M. F. A'Hearn
, M. A. Barucci
, J. L. Bertaux
, I. Bertini

D. Bodewits, S. Boudreault, G. Cremonese, V. Da Deppo, B. Davidsson, S. Debei, M. De Cecco, M. R. El-Maarry, S. Fornasier, M. Fulle, O. Groussin, P. J. Gutiérrez, C. Güttler, S. F. Hviid, L. Jorda, J. Knollenberg, G. Kovacs, J. R. Kramm, E. Kührt, M. Küppers, F. La Forgia, L. M. Lara, M. Lazzarin, J. J. López-Moreno, S. Lowry, S. Marchi, F. Marzari, H. Michalik, S. Mottola, G. Naletto, N. Oklay, M. Pajola, N. Thomas, E. Toth, C. Tubiana

Earth Science

National Central University
Macau University of Science and Technology
Max-Planck Institut für Sonnensystemforschung
European Space Agency
University of Padova
Aix-Marseille Université
Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC)
International Space Science Institute
Uppsala University
PAS Space Research Center
Technische Universität Braunschweig
University of Maryland, College Park
Univ. Paris-Diderot
CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
CNR-IFN UOS Padova LUXOR
University of Trento
INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC)
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
European Space Astronomy Centre
University of Kent
Southwest Research Institute
University of Bern
MTA CSFK Konkoly Observatory

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims. We aim to characterize the circular depressions of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and investigate whether such surface morphology of a comet nucleus is related to the cumulative sublimation effect since becoming a Jupiter family comet (JFC). Methods. The images from the Rosetta/OSIRIS science camera experiment are used to construct size frequency distributions of the circular depression structures on comet 67P and they are compared with those of the JFCs 81P/Wild 2, 9P/Tempel 1, and 103P/Hartley 2. The orbital evolutionary histories of these comets over the past 100 000 yr are analyzed statistically and compared with each other. Results. The global distribution of the circular depressions over the surface of 67P is charted and classified. Descriptions are given to the characteristics and cumulative size frequency distribution of the identified features. Orbital statistics of the JFCs visited by spacecraft are derived. Conclusions. The size frequency distribution of the circular depressions is found to have a similar power law distribution to those of 9P/Tempel 1 and 81P/Wild 2. This might imply that they could have been generated by the same process. Orbital integration calculation shows that the surface erosion histories of 81P/Wild 2, and 9P/Tempel 1 could be shorter than those of 67P, 103 P/Hartley 2 and 19P/Borrelly. From this point of view, the circular depressions could be dated back to the pre-JFC phase or the transneptunian phase of these comets. The north-south asymmetry in the distribution of the circular depressions could be associated with the heterogeneous structure of the nucleus of comet 67P and/or the solar insolation history.

Original language	British English
Article number	A132
Journal	Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume	591
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628156
State	Published - 1 Jul 2016

Keywords

Comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

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10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

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Ip, W. H., Lai, I. L., Lee, J. C., Cheng, Y. C., Li, Y., Lin, Z. Y., Vincent, J. B., Besse, S., Sierks, H., Barbieri, C., Lamy, P. L., Rodrigo, R., Koschny, D., Rickman, H., Keller, H. U., Agarwal, J., A'Hearn, M. F., Barucci, M. A., Bertaux, J. L., ... Tubiana, C. (2016). Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 591, Article A132. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

@article{eb9fe4e043a94bff90160adf1cb1c8d3,

title = "Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko",

abstract = "Aims. We aim to characterize the circular depressions of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and investigate whether such surface morphology of a comet nucleus is related to the cumulative sublimation effect since becoming a Jupiter family comet (JFC). Methods. The images from the Rosetta/OSIRIS science camera experiment are used to construct size frequency distributions of the circular depression structures on comet 67P and they are compared with those of the JFCs 81P/Wild 2, 9P/Tempel 1, and 103P/Hartley 2. The orbital evolutionary histories of these comets over the past 100 000 yr are analyzed statistically and compared with each other. Results. The global distribution of the circular depressions over the surface of 67P is charted and classified. Descriptions are given to the characteristics and cumulative size frequency distribution of the identified features. Orbital statistics of the JFCs visited by spacecraft are derived. Conclusions. The size frequency distribution of the circular depressions is found to have a similar power law distribution to those of 9P/Tempel 1 and 81P/Wild 2. This might imply that they could have been generated by the same process. Orbital integration calculation shows that the surface erosion histories of 81P/Wild 2, and 9P/Tempel 1 could be shorter than those of 67P, 103 P/Hartley 2 and 19P/Borrelly. From this point of view, the circular depressions could be dated back to the pre-JFC phase or the transneptunian phase of these comets. The north-south asymmetry in the distribution of the circular depressions could be associated with the heterogeneous structure of the nucleus of comet 67P and/or the solar insolation history.",

keywords = "Comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko",

author = "Ip, \{W. H.\} and Lai, \{I. L.\} and Lee, \{J. C.\} and Cheng, \{Y. C.\} and Y. Li and Lin, \{Z. Y.\} and Vincent, \{J. B.\} and S. Besse and H. Sierks and C. Barbieri and Lamy, \{P. L.\} and R. Rodrigo and D. Koschny and H. Rickman and Keller, \{H. U.\} and J. Agarwal and A'Hearn, \{M. F.\} and Barucci, \{M. A.\} and Bertaux, \{J. L.\} and I. Bertini and D. Bodewits and S. Boudreault and G. Cremonese and \{Da Deppo\}, V. and B. Davidsson and S. Debei and \{De Cecco\}, M. and El-Maarry, \{M. R.\} and S. Fornasier and M. Fulle and O. Groussin and Guti{\'e}rrez, \{P. J.\} and C. G{\"u}ttler and Hviid, \{S. F.\} and L. Jorda and J. Knollenberg and G. Kovacs and Kramm, \{J. R.\} and E. K{\"u}hrt and M. K{\"u}ppers and \{La Forgia\}, F. and Lara, \{L. M.\} and M. Lazzarin and L{\'o}pez-Moreno, \{J. J.\} and S. Lowry and S. Marchi and F. Marzari and H. Michalik and S. Mottola and G. Naletto and N. Oklay and M. Pajola and N. Thomas and E. Toth and C. Tubiana",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} ESO, 2016.",

year = "2016",

month = jul,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1051/0004-6361/201628156",

language = "British English",

volume = "591",

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Ip, WH, Lai, IL, Lee, JC, Cheng, YC, Li, Y, Lin, ZY, Vincent, JB, Besse, S, Sierks, H, Barbieri, C, Lamy, PL, Rodrigo, R, Koschny, D, Rickman, H, Keller, HU, Agarwal, J, A'Hearn, MF, Barucci, MA, Bertaux, JL, Bertini, I, Bodewits, D, Boudreault, S, Cremonese, G, Da Deppo, V, Davidsson, B, Debei, S, De Cecco, M, El-Maarry, MR, Fornasier, S, Fulle, M, Groussin, O, Gutiérrez, PJ, Güttler, C, Hviid, SF, Jorda, L, Knollenberg, J, Kovacs, G, Kramm, JR, Kührt, E, Küppers, M, La Forgia, F, Lara, LM, Lazzarin, M, López-Moreno, JJ, Lowry, S, Marchi, S, Marzari, F, Michalik, H, Mottola, S, Naletto, G, Oklay, N, Pajola, M, Thomas, N, Toth, E & Tubiana, C 2016, 'Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko', Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 591, A132. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

TY - JOUR

T1 - Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

AU - Ip, W. H.

AU - Lai, I. L.

AU - Lee, J. C.

AU - Cheng, Y. C.

AU - Li, Y.

AU - Lin, Z. Y.

AU - Vincent, J. B.

AU - Besse, S.

AU - Sierks, H.

AU - Barbieri, C.

AU - Lamy, P. L.

AU - Rodrigo, R.

AU - Koschny, D.

AU - Rickman, H.

AU - Keller, H. U.

AU - Agarwal, J.

AU - A'Hearn, M. F.

AU - Barucci, M. A.

AU - Bertaux, J. L.

AU - Bertini, I.

AU - Bodewits, D.

AU - Boudreault, S.

AU - Cremonese, G.

AU - Da Deppo, V.

AU - Davidsson, B.

AU - Debei, S.

AU - De Cecco, M.

AU - El-Maarry, M. R.

AU - Fornasier, S.

AU - Fulle, M.

AU - Groussin, O.

AU - Gutiérrez, P. J.

AU - Güttler, C.

AU - Hviid, S. F.

AU - Jorda, L.

AU - Knollenberg, J.

AU - Kovacs, G.

AU - Kramm, J. R.

AU - Kührt, E.

AU - Küppers, M.

AU - La Forgia, F.

AU - Lara, L. M.

AU - Lazzarin, M.

AU - López-Moreno, J. J.

AU - Lowry, S.

AU - Marchi, S.

AU - Marzari, F.

AU - Michalik, H.

AU - Mottola, S.

AU - Naletto, G.

AU - Oklay, N.

AU - Pajola, M.

AU - Thomas, N.

AU - Toth, E.

AU - Tubiana, C.

PY - 2016/7/1

Y1 - 2016/7/1

N2 - Aims. We aim to characterize the circular depressions of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and investigate whether such surface morphology of a comet nucleus is related to the cumulative sublimation effect since becoming a Jupiter family comet (JFC). Methods. The images from the Rosetta/OSIRIS science camera experiment are used to construct size frequency distributions of the circular depression structures on comet 67P and they are compared with those of the JFCs 81P/Wild 2, 9P/Tempel 1, and 103P/Hartley 2. The orbital evolutionary histories of these comets over the past 100 000 yr are analyzed statistically and compared with each other. Results. The global distribution of the circular depressions over the surface of 67P is charted and classified. Descriptions are given to the characteristics and cumulative size frequency distribution of the identified features. Orbital statistics of the JFCs visited by spacecraft are derived. Conclusions. The size frequency distribution of the circular depressions is found to have a similar power law distribution to those of 9P/Tempel 1 and 81P/Wild 2. This might imply that they could have been generated by the same process. Orbital integration calculation shows that the surface erosion histories of 81P/Wild 2, and 9P/Tempel 1 could be shorter than those of 67P, 103 P/Hartley 2 and 19P/Borrelly. From this point of view, the circular depressions could be dated back to the pre-JFC phase or the transneptunian phase of these comets. The north-south asymmetry in the distribution of the circular depressions could be associated with the heterogeneous structure of the nucleus of comet 67P and/or the solar insolation history.

AB - Aims. We aim to characterize the circular depressions of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and investigate whether such surface morphology of a comet nucleus is related to the cumulative sublimation effect since becoming a Jupiter family comet (JFC). Methods. The images from the Rosetta/OSIRIS science camera experiment are used to construct size frequency distributions of the circular depression structures on comet 67P and they are compared with those of the JFCs 81P/Wild 2, 9P/Tempel 1, and 103P/Hartley 2. The orbital evolutionary histories of these comets over the past 100 000 yr are analyzed statistically and compared with each other. Results. The global distribution of the circular depressions over the surface of 67P is charted and classified. Descriptions are given to the characteristics and cumulative size frequency distribution of the identified features. Orbital statistics of the JFCs visited by spacecraft are derived. Conclusions. The size frequency distribution of the circular depressions is found to have a similar power law distribution to those of 9P/Tempel 1 and 81P/Wild 2. This might imply that they could have been generated by the same process. Orbital integration calculation shows that the surface erosion histories of 81P/Wild 2, and 9P/Tempel 1 could be shorter than those of 67P, 103 P/Hartley 2 and 19P/Borrelly. From this point of view, the circular depressions could be dated back to the pre-JFC phase or the transneptunian phase of these comets. The north-south asymmetry in the distribution of the circular depressions could be associated with the heterogeneous structure of the nucleus of comet 67P and/or the solar insolation history.

KW - Comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/84977160668

U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/201628156

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84977160668

SN - 0004-6361

VL - 591

JO - Astronomy and Astrophysics

JF - Astronomy and Astrophysics

M1 - A132

ER -

Physical properties and dynamical relation of the circular depressions on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

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Keywords

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