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Beginning of activity in 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and predictions for 2014-2015

Tubiana, C.; Snodgrass, C.; Bramich, D. M. +3 more

Context. Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was selected in 2003 as the new target of the Rosetta mission. It has since been the subject of a detailed campaign of observations to characterise its nucleus and activity.
Aims: We present previously unpublished data taken around the start of activity of the comet in 2007/8, before its last perihelio…

Importance of thermal reactivity for hexamethylenetetramine formation from simulated interstellar ices

Vinogradoff, V.; Duvernay, F.; Danger, G. +5 more

Context. Complex organic molecules are observed in a broad variety of astrophysical objects, but little is known about their formation mechanism. Laboratory simulations on interstellar ice analogues are therefore crucial for understanding the origin of these complex organic molecules. In this context, we focus on the thermal reactivity for the for…

Spin and activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Lara, L. M.; Sierks, H.; Vincent, J. -B. +2 more

Aims: In 2014 ESA's spacecraft Rosetta will reach its final target: comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). Although this comet has been studied in great detail over the past decade, there are still some uncertainties regarding the actual spin orientation and the distribution of active regions on the surface. We here give an overview of our cu…