Large dust particles around comets

Abstract

A expression to estimate the maximum diameter, dmax, of the boulders ejected from comets is shown. Special attention is devoted to discuss the influence of the nucleus rotation in the determination of the size of the largest particles. An increase of the dmax about 40% is found for comets spinning with a six hours period. Particularly, these expressions are applied to the Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the current target for the Rosetta mission. Also, the equation of motion is numerically integrated. Gravitational, gas drag and radiation forces, together with the inertial forces, are included. An application to Comet 1P/Halley and 46P/Wirtanen is made. Flying times in pseudo-stable orbits are obtained and the calculated values for the total mass injected into the orbits are shown.