Optical observations of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko | Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A)
Worldwide astronomical and astrophysical research
Same authors- - -
A&A 408, 767-774 (2003)
A&A 403, 313-322 (2003)
A&A 398, 345-352 (2003)
A&A 525, A36 (2011)
Free Access
Volume 414, Number 2, February I 2004
Planets and planetary systems
Published online
19 January 2004
Institute of Planetary Research, DLR, Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
Optical Information Systems and Space Sensor Technologies, DLR, Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
Corresponding author: M. Weiler,
From longslit spectra obtained during the 1996 perihelion
passage of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a CN production rate of
 molecules  was
determined and an upper limit for the  production rate of  molecules  was derived. The dust color
and dust activity were determined from the continuum light in the
spectra. A neutral dust color was determined between ;Å and ;Å. The CN production rate and the Afρ  parameter,
determined to  cm, were similar to the values of
the ;perihelion passage, indicating that the comet's activity did
not change significantly in recent orbital passages. A first crude
estimate of the dust production rate indicates a high dust to gas mass
ratio.
R-filter images taken in March 2003 were used to study the dust coma
morphology. Two jet structures w these structures
show no variations within the observing period from March 7 to May 30, 2003. The orientation of these stationary structures suggests an
inclination of the rotation axis of the nucleus of approximately  with respect to the orbital plane.
Key words: comets: general / comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
* Based on observations collected at the
Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP), France, and Thüringer
Landessternwarte Tautenburg (TLS), Germany.
© ESO, 2004
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Editor-in-Chief: T. Forveille
Letters Editor-in-Chief: J. Alves
Managing Editor: N. Aghanim
Frequency: 12 volumes per year
Published by: EDP Sciences
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& The European Southern Observatory ()Geomorphology of the Imhotep region on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from OSIRIS observations | Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A)
Worldwide astronomical and astrophysical research
Same authors- - -
A&A 583, A32 (2015)
A&A 583, A25 (2015)
A&A 583, A36 (2015)
A&A 595, A102 (2016)
Free Access
Volume 583, November 2015
Rosetta mission results pre-perihelion
Article Number
Number of page(s)
Planets and planetary systems
Published online
30 October 2015
1 Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LAM (Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille) UMR 7326,
Marseille,
e-mail: anne-therese.auger@lam.fr
2 Laboratoire GEOPS (Géosciences Paris Sud), Bât. 509, Université Paris Sud,
Orsay Cedex,
3 Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Éphémérides, UMR 8028,
77 avenue Denfert Rochereau,
Planetary Science Institute,
5 Physikalisches Institut, Sidlerstr. 5, University of Bern,
Switzerland
Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung,
Göttingen,
7 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Padova University,
Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 3,
8 Centro de Astrobiologia (INTA-CSIC), 28691 Villanueva de la Canada,
International Space Science Institute,
Hallerstrasse 6,
Switzerland
10 Scientific Support Office, European Space Agency,
Noordwijk,
The Netherlands
11 Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University,
PAS Space Research Center,
Bartycka 18A,
Institute for Geophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics,
Braunschweig,
14 Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland,
College Park,
15 LESIA, Obs. de Paris, CNRS, Univ Paris 06, Univ. Paris-Diderot, 5 place J. Janssen,
16 LATMOS, CNRS/UVSQ/IPSL,
11 boulevard d’Alembert,
Guyancourt,
University of Padova, CISAS, via Venezia 15,
18 Department of Mech. Engineering University of Padova,
via Venezia 1,
CNR-IFN UOS Padova LUXOR,
via Trasea 7,
20 UNITN, Universit di Trento, via Mesiano, 77,
INAF–Osservatorio Astronomico,
via Tiepolo 11,
Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucía (CSIC),
Glorieta de la Astronomía s/n,
Institute of Planetary Research, DLR, Rutherfordstrasse 2,
Institute for Space Science, Nat. Central Univ., 300 Chung Da Rd.,
Operations Department, European Space Astronomy Centre/ESA, PO Box 78, 28691 Villanueva de la Canada,
Southwest Research Institute, 1050 Walnut St.,
27 INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova,
28 Centro di Ateneo di Studi ed Attivitá Spaziali “Giuseppe Colombo” (CISAS), University of Padova,
Institut für Datentechnik und Kommunikationsnetze derTU Braunschweig, Hans-Sommer-Str. 66,
Braunschweig,
30 University of Padova, Department of Information Engineering,
Via Gradenigo 6/B,
Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Carretera de Ajalvir, p.k. 4, 28850 Torrejon de Ardoz,
Received: 23 February 2015Accepted: 12 May 2015
Context. Since August 2014, the OSIRIS Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) onboard the Rosetta spacecraft has acquired high spatial resolution images of the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, down to the decimeter scale. This paper focuses on the Imhotep region, located on the largest lobe of the nucleus, near the equator.
Aims. We map, inventory, and describe the geomorphology of the Imhotep region. We propose and discuss some processes to explain the formation and ongoing evolution of this region.
Methods. We used OSIRIS NAC images, gravitational heights and slopes, and digital terrain models to map and measure the morphologies of Imhotep.
Results. The Imhotep region presents a wide variety of terrains and morphologies: smooth and rocky terrains, bright areas, linear features, roundish features, and boulders. Gravity processes such as mass wasting and collapse play a significant role in the geomorphological evolution of this region. Cometary processes initiate erosion and are responsible for the formation of degassing conduits that are revealed by elevated roundish features on the surface. We also propose a scenario for the formation and evolution of the I this implies the presence of large primordial voids inside the nucleus, resulting from its formation process.
Key words: comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko / methods: data analysis
© ESO, 2015
Current usage metrics
Return to article
Editor-in-Chief: T. Forveille
Letters Editor-in-Chief: J. Alves
Managing Editor: N. Aghanim
Frequency: 12 volumes per year
Published by: EDP Sciences
Mirror sites:
& The European Southern Observatory ()This website requires javascript to function properly
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