Coma Morphology of Comets as a Probe of the Nucleus and the Coma

Nalin Samarasinha

Morphological features of cometary coma observed in emission bands (gas) as well as in scattered continuum (dust) provide essential insights for understanding the nuclear properties and the coma itself. Directed nuclear activity causes identifiable coma features. Strong coma features can be easily recognizable in raw cometary images while weaker features show up in enhanced images. Relevant enhancement techniques will be discussed together with their pros and cons as they provide inputs to coma models. Specific morphologies related to a number of comets will be discussed covering a range of scenarios. How morphological features of dust and gas provide complementary informations will also be addressed.

Return to PSI Seminars Page