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Newburn, R. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Newburn, R. L..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Topography of the 81/P Wild 2 Nucleus Derived from Stardust Stereoimages

On 2 January, 2004, the Stardust spacecraft flew by the nucleus of comet 81P/Wild 2 with a closest approach distance of approx. 240 km. During the encounter, the Stardust Optical Navigation Camera (ONC) obtained 72 images of the nucleus with exposure times alternating between 10 ms (near-optimal for most of the nucleus surface) and 100 ms (used for navigation, and revealing additional details in the coma and dark portions of the surface. Phase angles varied from 72 deg. to near zero to 103 deg. during the encounter, allowing the entire sunlit portion of the surface to be imaged. As many as 20 of the images near closest approach are of sufficiently high resolution to be used in mapping the nucleus surface; of these, two pairs of short-exposure images were used to create the nucleus shape model and derived products reported here. The best image resolution obtained was approx. 14 m/pixel, resulting in approx. 300 pixels across the nucleus. The Stardust Wild 2 dataset is therefore markedly superior from a stereomapping perspective to the Deep Space 1 MICAS images of comet Borrelly. The key subset of the latter (3 images) covered only about a quarter of the surface at phase angles approx. 50 - 60 and less than 50 x 160 pixels across the nucleus, yet it sufficed for groups at the USGS and DLR to produce digital elevation models (DEMs) and study the morphology and photometry of the nucleus in detail.

Kirk, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Stardust Encounters Comet 81P/Wild 2

Stardust successfully encountered comet 81P/Wild 2 on 2 January 2004 at a distance of 236.4 +/- 1 km. All encounter investigations acquired valuable new and surprising findings. The time-of-flight spectrometer registered 29 spectra during flyby and measured the first negative ion mass spectra of cometary particles. The dust detectors recorded particles over a broad mass range, 10(exp -11) to 10(exp -4) g. Unexpectedly, the dust distribution along Stardust's flight path was far from uniform, but instead occurred in short 'bursts', suggesting in-flight breakup of fragments ejected from the nucleus. High-resolution, stunning images of the Wild 2 surface show a diverse and complex variety of landforms not seen from comets 1P/Halley and 19P/Borrelly or icy satellites of the outer solar system. Longer-exposure images reveal large numbers of jets projected nearly around the entire perimeter of the nucleus, many of which appear to be highly collimated. A triaxial ellipsoidal fit of the Wild 2 nucleus images yields the principal nucleus radii of 1.65 X 2.00 X2.75 km (+/- 0.05 km). The orientations and source locations on the nucleus surface of 20 highly collimated and partially overlapping jets have been traced. There is every indication that the expected samples were successfully collected from the Wild 2 coma and are poised for a return to Earth on 15 January 2006.

Stardust mission↗
NASA NTRS2004

Stardust Sample Collection at Wild 2 and Its Preliminary Examination

The primary objective of STARDUST is to collect coma samples from 81P/Wild 2. This was made on January 2, 2004. Before the encounter three significant model predictions existed for the number and size of samples to be captured. Three investigations during the Wild 2 encounter (Dust Flux Monitor, Comet and Interstellar Dust Analyzer and Dynamic Science) made in situ measurements of the dust. Spectacular images were captured of the Wild 2 nucleus and dust jets. This abstract compares the model predictions with the in situ measurements and Wild 2 images and assesses the likely samples to be returned for analysis on January 15, 2006. To give some lead time for sample analysts to prepare for the analyses of the returned samples, the organization of the Preliminary Examination is presented.

Tsou, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The digital archive of the International Halley Watch

The International Halley Watch was established to coordinate, collect, archive, and distribute the scientific data from Comet P/Halley that would be obtained from both the ground and space. This paper describes one of the end products of that effort, namely the IHW Digital Archive. The IHW Digital Archive consists of 26 CD-ROM's containing over 32 gigabytes of data from the 9 IHW disciplines as well as data from the 5 spacecraft missions flown to comet P/Haley and P/Giacobini-Zinner. The total archive contains over 50,000 observations by 1,500 observers from at least 40 countries. The first 24 CD's, which are currently available, contain data from the 9 IHW disciplines. The two remaining CD's will have the spacecraft data and should be available within the next year. A test CD-ROM of these data has been created and is currently under review.

Klinglesmith, D. A., III↗
NASA NTRS1990

The infrared spectrum of Comet Bradfield (1987s) and the silicate emission feature

Infrared (1-20 microns) observations of Comet Bradfield (1987s) from three observatories are reported. Silicate emission is prominent in all the data, from heliocentric distance r = 0.87 to 1.45 AU. A CVF spectrum at r = 1.45 AU shows a peak at 11.3 microns identified as crystalline olivine; the spectral shape is similar to that in Halley. Dust optical properties are similar to those of the grains in Halley's jets. Dust production rate near perihelion was about 10 to the 6th g/s and varied as N exp-2. It is suggested that some differences in grain properties among comets could result from difference in the thermal history of the nuclear surface and the relative fraction of the dust particles originating in the subsurface icy layer versus the devolatilized mantle.

Hanner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Comet Sugano-Saigusa-Fujikawa (1983V) - A small, puzzling comet

Spectroscopic and infrared observations of Comet Sugano-Saigusa-Fujikawa (1983V) were obtained during its close approach to the earth on June 11-14, 1983. The forbidden O I production rates of 1.8 + or - 0.9 x 10 to the 26th atoms/s observed on June 12.3 and 7 + or - 3.5 x 10 to the 26th atoms/s on June 13.4 lead to derived water-production rates of 3 x 10 to the 27th mol/s on June 12 and 1.1 x 10 to the 28th mol/s on June 13. The abundances of the minor species NH2, CN, C2, and C3 are unusually low relative to forbidden O I. The upper limit to the average nuclear radius from infrared and visual photometry on June 12-13 (assuming that the entire signal came from the nucleus) is about 370 m. The dust/gas mass ratio was less than 0.01 on June 12 and less than 0.005 on June 13.

Hanner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Halley's comet and plans for its observation during its return in 1986

The general characteristics and properties of Halley's comet, as they can be derived from earlier apparitions, are briefly discussed. Consideration is given to historical data on the comet, orbital characteristics, and physical characteristics, including the estimated diameter and density of nucleus, rotation period, observed spectra, tails, and associated meteor streams. The coming 1985/86 apparition is then discussed together with planned space missions for in situ observations. Finally, the major goals of the International Halley Watch, a comprehensive program to prepare for the next apparition of Halley's comet, are reviewed.

Rahe, J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The derivation of Halley parameters from observations

Nominal value model parameters for the nucleus (size, mass, rotation, albedo, hydrogen production) the dust and gas for P/Halley at 0.9 AU postperihelion are derived from the light curve and spectra of Halley and by modeling the effect of the nongravitational forces, e.g., the outgassing rocket type effect of the nucleus. In those cases where Halley observations are not sufficient, the average value derived from a larger set of other comets is used, or data from comet Bennett, Halley's best analog, are taken. A flow diagram shows how the parameter values are derived and to what extent these derived values are interdependent. Previously announced in STAR as N82-23097

Newburn, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A semi-empirical photometric theory of cometary gas and dust production: Application to P/Halley's gas production rates

The semiempirical photometric theory of cometary gas and dust production is recalibrated using UV observations from 14 comets and uniform visual photometry from 8 comets. The calibration is not changed significantly but becomes more secure. The complete theory is presented with all approximations evaluated and explained. Numerical calibration aspects are presented in tables. The theory is applied to P/Halley using a light curve without the artifact caused by the close approach to Earth in 1910. Gas production rates predicted for the 1985/86 apparition are similar to those for 1910.

Newburn, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The derivation of Halley parameters from observations

Nominal value model parameters for the nucleus (size, mass, rotation, albedo, hydrogen production) the dust and gas for P/Halley at 0.9 AU postperihelion are derived from the light curve and spectra of Halley and by modeling the effect of the nongravitational forces, e.g., the outgassing rocket type effect of the nucleus. In those cases where Halley observations are not sufficient, the average value derived from a larger set of other comets is used, or data from comet Bennett, Halley's best analog, are taken. A flow diagram shows how the parameter values are derived and to what extent these derived values are interdependent.

Newburn, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The International Halley Watch: A program of coordination, cooperation and advocacy

To prevent a repetition of the lack of reporting and dissemination of the data obtained during the 1910 observations of Comet Halley, a mechanism is proposed for coordinating the work of scientists and amateurs, including government, industrials, and academic personnel during the 1985-86 apparition of Comet Halley. Specialists from each discipline, in consultation with other experts in the field, would recommend specific objectives, standards, data format, and priorities for observations in that discipline. Following time for individual publication, scientists would be invited to contribute results to a multivolume compilation containing as complete as possible a record of the apparition. It is suggested that the discipline specialists be selected jointly by the IHW leader an by an international steering group with members from COSPAR, the IAU, etc., perhaps in response to some form of international announcement of opportunity.

Friedman, L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Physical models of Comet Halley based upon qualitative data from the 1910 apparition

A semi-empirical theory was developed, tying the hydrogen production rate of a comet to its visual light curve. Two unknown constants, which are essentially the efficiencies of these two processes, are derived from the comets for which quantitative data exist. This theory has been applied to P/Halley, using the light curve of Yeomans, which was derived from the original 1910 observations, with aperture corrections applied. Given the hydrogen production rate, it is assumed that N(H20) = 0.5 N(H) and that there is 0.2 N(H20) of other species. From several converging lines of evidence the mass of dust is taken as half the mass of gas. The Sekanina-Miller distribution function of particle size is used. Particle velocities are calculated using Delsemmes version of the Probstein theory. From these, near nucleus dust density, flux, etc. are calculated. Dust envelope sizes are calculated from the old mechanical theory of tails. Extreme models are calculated from the old mechanical theory of tails. Extreme models are also furnished based upon a "sum-of-negative-tolerance" approach.

Newburn, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Mariner mission to Encke 1980

Experimental design for the Mariner mission to Comet Encke is considered, examining the following experiments: volatile and nonvolatile chemical analysis, an imaging system for the comet nucleus, the ultraviolet spectrometer, and magnetic field and plasma experiments. Mission design is discussed, emphasizing the mission profile, trajectory and targeting and the spacecraft design.

Yeates, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Science aspects of a 1980 flyby of Comet Encke with a Pioneer spacecraft

Results are presented of an investigation of the feasibility of a 1980 flyby of Comet Encke using a Pioneer class spacecraft. Specific areas studied include: science objectives and rationale; science observables; effects of encounter velocity; science encounter and targeting requirements; selection and description of science instruments; definition of a candidate science payload; engineering characteristics of suggested payload; value of a separable probe; science instruments for a separable probe; science payload integration problems; and science operations profile.

Jaffe, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Encke flyby science package

Cometary exploration objectives are considered, giving attention to reasons for the selection of Encke as a target for early exploration missions. An Encke environmental model is discussed together with the scientific requirements of an exploratory mission, instrument selection criteria, and the science payload. The instruments to be used include a television camera, an IR radiometer, a UV spectrometer, a mass spectrometer, a Sisyphus dust detector, devices for the measurement of the EM field, and instruments for the determination of plasma characteristics. It is pointed out that solar electric propulsion affords the only practical, currently available means of reaching Encke with the desired encounter velocity below 7.5 km/sec.

Newburn, R. L.↗