Deep Impact: observations from a worldwide Earth-based campaign

Science. 2005 Oct 14;310(5746):265-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1118978. Epub 2005 Sep 8.

Abstract

On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed the collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign. These data show that (i) there was new material after impact that was compositionally different from that seen before impact; (ii) the ratio of dust mass to gas mass in the ejecta was much larger than before impact; (iii) the new activity did not last more than a few days, and by 9 July the comet's behavior was indistinguishable from its pre-impact behavior; and (iv) there were interesting transient phenomena that may be correlated with cratering physics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cosmic Dust
  • Jupiter
  • Meteoroids*
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Photometry

Substances

  • Cosmic Dust
  • Organic Chemicals