On the existence of small comets and their interactions with planets

被引:8
作者
Brandt, JC [1 ]
AHearn, MF [1 ]
Randall, CE [1 ]
Schleicher, DG [1 ]
Shoemaker, EM [1 ]
Stewart, AIF [1 ]
机构
[1] UNIV MARYLAND,DEPT ASTRON,COLLEGE PK,MD 20742
来源
EARTH MOON AND PLANETS | 1996年 / 72卷 / 1-3期
关键词
comets; small; search program; planets;
D O I
10.1007/BF00117524
中图分类号
P1 [天文学];
学科分类号
0704 ;
摘要
Arguments are presented for a substantial, unexplored population of comets with radii less than 1 km. Known examples confirm this population and extrapolation of any plausible size-distribution function indicates large numbers. However, their accurate numbers, orbital characteristics, and physical properties are unknown. Thus, even though the small comets may be the most frequent cometary bodies impacting the planets, a quantitative evaluation is not currently possible. We advocate an optimized, dedicated search program to characterize this population.
引用
收藏
页码:243 / 249
页数:7
相关论文
共 20 条
[11]  
RICKMAN H, 1990, ASTRON ASTROPHYS, V237, P524
[12]  
ROEMER E, 1966, MEM SOC ROY SCI LIEG, V12, P23
[13]  
SCOTTI JV, 1994, IAU SYMP, P17
[14]   CLOSE ENCOUNTERS AND COLLISIONS OF COMETS WITH THE EARTH [J].
SEKANINA, Z ;
YEOMANS, DK .
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL, 1984, 89 (01) :154-161
[15]  
Shoemaker E. M., 1982, Satellites of Jupiter, P435
[16]  
SOLOMON SC, 1991, REV GEOPHYS S, P1089
[17]  
TERN SA, 1990, BAAS, V22, P1099
[18]  
THIEL K, 1990, 20TH P LUN PLAN SCI, P389
[19]  
WEISSMAN PR, 1980, ASTRON ASTROPHYS, V85, P191
[20]  
YEOMANS DK, 1991, COMETS, P246