Infrared Observations of Comet Austin (1990 V) by the COBE/Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment

Abstract

Comet Austin was observed by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)/Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) with broadband photometry at 1-240 micrometers during the comet's close passage by Earth in 1990 May. A 6 deg long (6 x 10⁶ km) dust tail was found at 12 and 25 micrometers, with detailed structure due to variations in particle properties and mass-loss rate. The spectrum of the central 42 x 42 sq arcmin pixel was found to agree with that of a graybody of temperature 309 +/- 5 K and optical depth 7.3 +/- 10^-8. Comparison with IUE and ground-based obervations indicates that particles of radius greater than 20 micrometers predominate by surface area. A mass-loss rate of 510 (+510/-205) kg/s and a total tail mass of 7 +/- 2 x 10¹⁰ kg was found for a model dust tail composed of Mie spheres with a differential particle mass distribution dn/d log m approx. m^-0.63 and 2:1 silicate:amorphous carbon composition by mass.