Publication Date:
2013-08-29
Description:
Numerical simulations of the structure of aggregates of grains in the solar system show they are fractals with low density and irregular shapes. Comet nuclei forming from a mixture of ice and dust grains are likely to have nonuniform composition as well as structure. Such a nucleus appears to account for observed characteristic of comets. The structure has significant implications for the evolution of cometary nuclei.
Keywords:
ASTROPHYSICS
Type:
ESA, Proceedings of the 20th ESLAB Symposium on the Exploration of Halley's Comet. Volume 3: Posters; p 523-524
Format:
text