New Camera at WIYN images an Asteroid with a Long Tail
R band profiles from Keck (top: Jewitt et al. 2012) and pODI (bottom). The shape and extent of the tail are controlled by the ratio of radiation pressure to gravitational accelaeration, and the ejection velocity. Hence the profile yields the particle size distributiona and mass in the tail. As seen here, from the pODI image we are able to sample the profile out to much longer distances (> 15') from the nucleus.
Credit:NOIRLab
About the Image
Id: | noao1307e |
Type: | Chart |
Release date: | June 4, 2013 |
Related releases: | noao1307 |
Size: | 284 x 445 px |
About the Object
Category: | Solar System |