Color variations of Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina)


الملخص بالإنكليزية

We report observations of color in the inner coma of Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) with the broadband B and R filters. We find significant temporal variations of the color slope, ranging from -12.67 $pm$ 8.16 % per 0.1~$mu$m up to $35.09 pm 11.7$ % per 0.1~$mu$m.It is significant that the comet changes color from red to blue over only a two-day period. Such dispersion cannot be characterized with an average color slope. We also observe Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) in infrared using Spitzer and find no significant CO/CO$_{2}$ gaseous species in its coma. Therefore, we classify Comet C/2013 UQ4 (Catalina) as a dust-rich comet and attribute the measured color slope to its dust. We analyze the color slope using the model of agglomerated debris particles and conclude that the C/2013 UQ4 coma was chemically heterogeneous, consisting of at least two components. The first component producing the bluest color is consistent with Mg-rich silicates. There are three different options for the second component producing the reddest color. This color is consistent with either Mg-Fe silicates, kerogen type II, or organic matter processed with a low dose of UV radiation.

تحميل البحث