Abstract Early results from, and research initiatives warranted by, the Earth-based observations of Halley's near-nucleus and related phenomena are reviewed. Where appropriate, this information is combined with spacecraft data obtained by the various flight projects. The basic objective is to gain a greater insight into the nature of the comet's nucleus and its environment. Among topics are the brightness variations at large heliocentric distances along the inbound leg of the orbit; the bulk and rotational properties of the nucleus, including possible precession; the surface morphology and the formation of dust jets; subfemtogram dust particles and their presence in a sunward spike and relation to CN jets; comparison of the hydrogen coma's “pulsation” pattern with the surface distribution of major dust vents; the events causing Giotto's wobbling near its closest approach to the comet; and the recent developments in theoretical modeling of the icy-conglomerate nucleus.
Nucleus studies of comet Halley
Advances in Space Research ; 5 , 12 ; 307-316
01.01.1985
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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