Abstract Spherically symmetric radial temperature profiles of cometary nuclei have been determined numerically (and for simplified models analytically) in dependence on the orbital position of the periodic comet Halley. These temperature fields in the nucleus are connected with thermal stress fields which have been calculated with the assumption of elastic properties of cometary matter. The remarkable result is the possible existence of stresses, strong enough to cause internal cracking of the nucleus and break-ups of the cometary surface. This may be essential understanding normal cometary activity as well as outbursts and splits.
Thermal model and thermo-mechanical stresses in cometary nuclei
Advances in Space Research ; 4 , 9 ; 225-228
1984-01-01
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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