Abstract The multiple scattering of solar radiation in the cometary atmosphere is treated with the method of successive scattering. Referring to in situ measurements of comet Halley about the size and spatial distributions of dust, the optical thickness τ 1 of dust has been estimated, i.e. τ 1=0.03 at wavelength λ=0.62μm in a quiet time, but τ 1=0.3 when the outbursts/jets occur. In the derivation of τ 1, optical properties of dust including a mixing ratio of absorbing to silicate grains, are determined based on the polarimetry of P/Halley at λ=0.62μm observed during the phase angles over Nov. 1985 to May 1986 at the Dodaira Station of Tokyo Astronomical Observatory. It is found that a temporary enhancement of τ 1 leads an increase of the upward reflected intensity when the surface albedo A of the nucleus is less than 0.04, but the reverse is true when A>0.04. On the other hand, the intensity of the downward radiation at the surface of the nucleus always decreases as an increase of τ 1.
Intensity profiles of the multiple scattering light near the cometary nucleus
Advances in Space Research ; 5 , 12 ; 89-92
1985-01-01
4 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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