Abstract Direct images of the nucleus of comet Halley have revealed an extremely structured and dark surface. This low albedo arises from, at least, two plausible possibilities, i.e. (1) absorption of incident light by non-volatile crust of dark material, and (2) multiple reflection of incident light due to the roughness of the nucleus surface, with a dimension of the order of visual wavelength or greater. We have investigated a variation of the albedo on the illuminated disk of cometary nucleus covered with rough surface consisting of absorbing material. It is found that the albedo of the nucleus significantly decreases as the degree of roughness increases. In addition, the albedo near the limb is roughly one order of magnitude smaller than that in the central part of the illuminated disk. Our treatment is applicable to examine the micro-structure on the surface of the airless body by remote sensing.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Surface albedo of cometary nucleus


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1989-01-01


    Size :

    4 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Chemical composition of cometary nucleus

    Gudipati, Murthy S. | NTRS | 2017



    Modeling of the cometary nucleus-coma interface region

    Gombosi, T. I. / Korosmezey, A. | NTRS | 1989


    Modeling of the cometary nucleus-coma interface region

    Gombosi, T.I. / Körösmezey, A. | Elsevier | 1989


    Mechanisms of dust emission from the surface of a cometary nucleus

    Grün, E. / Benkhoff, J. / Fechtig, H. et al. | Elsevier | 1989