Introduction to CometsIncluding the abundance of information known prior to the return of Halley's comet, as well as the new information discovered since then, the science of comets is described here by order of its discovery. From tail phenomena to coma morphology, to the most recent findings from space missions, this comprehensive text provides complete and up-to-date coverage of the subject. It will be suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of astronomy and planetary science. First Edition Hb (2001): 0-521-23906-0 First Edition Pb (2002): 0-521-27218-1 |
Contents
Comets in history | 1 |
Discovery and dynamics of comets | 55 |
Observing and measuring techniques | 93 |
Tails | 129 |
Coma and related phenomena | 159 |
Comets and the solar wind | 195 |
The nucleus | 231 |
Asteroids | 277 |
Comets and the solar system | 329 |
The future of cometary research | 355 |
Comet lore | 377 |
Summary | 395 |
| 401 | |
| 435 | |
Origins of comets | 307 |
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Common terms and phrases
albedo amorphous ice approximately asteroids Astron Astronomical Astrophys brightness calculations collisions comet Hale-Bopp comet Halley comet Hyakutake comet Kohoutek comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet's orbit Courtesy crater density determined discovery discussion distribution dust particles dust tail earth electrons emission encounter energy equation field lines flux flyby Giotto Halley's Comet heliocentric heliocentric distance Hubble Space Telescope hydrogen image of comet impact infrared inner coma inner solar system interstellar ions Jupiter KBOS km s¹ Kuiper belt long-period comets magnetic field mass measurements meteor meteorites mission molecules motion nongravitational forces nucleus objects observations of comet Observatory Oort cloud parameters perihelion period perturbations planetary planets plasma tail Plate polar produced production rates radiation pressure radius region resonance rotation Shoemaker-Levy short-period comets shown in Fig shows solar nebula solar system solar wind spacecraft spectra spectrum speed stars structure sunward surface temperature vaporization velocity wavelength