[BAA Comets] Mystery of Comet 29P Unveiled

[Richard Miles]

 blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important;  padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; }  Dear All,
Just to say, I shall be giving a talk with this title at the Astronomical Society of Victoria monthly meeting at the Mueller Auditorium, Melbourne tomorrow evening (9th). Hope to see as many ASV folk there as possible.
This periodic comet has about the largest nucleus of any known, it being about 60km across. The data we have show it has many cryovolcanoes on its surface, which erupt from time to time resulting in outbursts. 29P is observable for about 10 months every 13 months and observers are strongly encouraged to monitor the comet for outbursts, each of which take about 2 hours to develop.
More observations are needed to:(a) determine the time of each outburst, which is a measure of the location of each source on the nucleus;(b) determine the amplitude, a measure of the intensity of each eruption;(c) identify the appearance of further outbursts triggered within about 15 days of the  initial event. We need further statistical proof that one outburst can trigger one or more 'knock-on' outbursts;(d) characterise the nature of its activity during its orbital year of about 15 yr, each season lasting almost 4 earth-years. Long-term observations should permit us to solve the tilt and orientation of its spin-axis.
So lots to do!
Richard MilesBritish Astronomical Association

 


P.S. Of all the small solar system bodies that exist, 29P is arguably the most bizarre in terms of behaviour and intrinsic nature.  Being in a near-circular orbit a little beyond Jupiter, it would make an admirable target for a space probe to visit and have a close view of its antics, etc. New observations by amateurs should help to show how special this particular body is, and may enable enough evidence to be gathered to convince space agencies of its value as a destination for a man-made probe.