Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

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Max Planck researchers and close collaborators enter into various observational programs of the Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (SW 3). During May and June 2006 this comet is of great scientific interest: it is splitting into several distinct pieces, its main fragment comes nearest to the Earth (11.6 Mill. km) around May 12, and this distance is the closest a comet ever approached Earth in more than twenty years.

Project Abstract

What causes the splitting of the comet? Will the splitting process continue? Will the comet finally disintegrate? Max Planck researchers and close collaborators have been recently and will continue observing the Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3  and its main fragments in great detail during 2006 from different sites (please see projects)


 

Here we created a  web site dedicated to our observing programs, and preliminary results.

News

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Component B has reportedly become brighter than component C! 10 May

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Fragment B shows changes in the coma morphology! Confirmation from CSIC-MPG observations . 3 May

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The fragments B, C and G were exposed during April 2006 from Tautenburg and CSIC-MPG observatories for a total of a few minutes (each exposure), a few days before fragment B and G started to split off. 1st May

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The trailing fragment of component B has been designated "AQ" by the IAU. 26th April

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Science Goals

These observations will obtain valuable information, specially as to study sublimation of volatiles from dust grains, grain dissolution/fragmentation with distance from nucleus, to determine gas and dust production of SW3 fragments, to search for small fragments around larger ones, to study dust properties (colours, phase angle), to determine rotational period and break-up limit of fragment C (the brightest one), between other studies. The recent nucleus splitting of SW 3 fragments (for instance B and C) is an unexpected event, but is a very valuable add-on of the planned science program since it will allow us to study the rare event of comet break-up in great detail.  

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If you have inquires or suggestions regarding this web, please contact  rengel@mps.mpg.de

Created by Miriam Rengel
Last update: 13-05-2006.