NAI
2009 Annual Science Report
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Reporting | JUL 2008 – AUG 2009
Light Curve of Main Belt Comet 176P/LINEAR
Project Summary
Comet 176P/Linear belongs to the new class of main belt comets (MBCs) which show both, asteroid and comet like behavior. As these solar system bodies reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, they are easier to reach for a spacecraft compared to comets in the Oort cloud or the Kuiper belt. We are proposing a NASA Discovery-Class mission to such a main belt comet. Currently only four MBSs are known and it is crucial that we learn as much as possible about their physical properties. The aim of this project is to obtain a rotational light curve from recent observations with the UH2.2m telescope on Mauna Kea. The light curve will allow us to determine the how fast the comet’s nucleus is rotating.
Project Progress
1. Observations
The following observations of comet 176P/Linear were performed during the CAN 5 reporting period:
UT |
Telescope |
#Pictures |
Filter |
Tot.Time (s) |
UT Start Time |
UT Stop Time |
04/15/09 |
UH2.2 |
20 |
R |
12000 |
9:11:14 |
15:08:17 |
04/30/09 |
UH2.2 |
16 |
R |
14400 |
9:08:56 |
15:00:40 |
05/01/09 |
UH2.2 |
19 |
R |
17100 |
8:30:00 |
13:20:04 |
05/05/09 |
UH2.2 |
20 |
VR |
18000 |
8:14:28 |
13:28:37 |
05/17/09 |
UH2.2 |
5 |
R |
4500 |
9:51:54 |
11:09:42 |
2. Data Reduction
The data reduction started on earlier observations of comet 176P/Linear which were performed in 2007 and 2008. Currently about 50% of all the relevant data is reduced using the IRAF data reduction package.
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PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
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PROJECT MEMBERS:
Karen Meech
Project Investigator
Jana Pittichova
Collaborator
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RELATED OBJECTIVES:
Objective 1.1
Formation and evolution of habitable planets.
Objective 3.1
Sources of prebiotic materials and catalysts
