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Paper: Imaging of Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner
Volume: 420, Bioastronomy 2007: Molecules, Microbes and Extraterrestrial Life
Page: 103
Authors: Pittichová, J.; Kelley, M. S.; Woodward, C. E.; Meech, K. J.
Abstract: We report on ground-based optical and space infrared observations of comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Our data indicate that the comet is quite active with fairly uniform coma emission out to R ∼ 3.8 AU, absent large numbers of jets or other coma features. Dust production measurements combined with no visibly detected extended coma emission suggest that comet activity turned off ∼ 3.8 AU post-perihelion. The color of the coma is slightly redder than the Sun, and no variations in the light curve of 21P were evident. The 24 micron Spitzer image shows a strong dust coma and tail, but no evidence for a dust trail, even though this comet is the parent body of the Draconid meteor stream.
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