In the Eye of the Storm: Inner Coma Studies of Three Jupiter Family Comets
When
Where
Associate Professor
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Comet close approaches to within 0.2 AU of Earth provide the best opportunity for ground based study of the shape the nucleus and its nearby environment, including activity patterns, seasonal & diurnal effects, and photo-chemical evolution in the coma. Such approaches are historically rare, but an exceptional confluence of close encounters over the next 2 years will an opportunity for up-close study of three Jupiter Family comets. In this presentation I will discuss our program to utilize a global network of observing resources to study comets 45P/Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova, 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak, and 46P/Wirtanen. I will also describe student-level participation in the campaign through a new course in observational campaigns.