Finite Lifetime Fragment Model 2 for Synchronic Band Formation in Dust Tails of Comets

ISSN： 0019-1035

Source： Icarus, Vol.134, Iss.1, 1998-07, pp. : 24-34

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Abstract

Some big comets showed type II tails with many narrow striae called “synchronic bands,” the formation mechanism of which is still unknown. A dynamic model for the formation mechanism of synchronic bands, which is based on the following process, is proposed.The complex particles of the aggregates of the unit particles are ejected from the nucleus of the comet and disintegrate repeatedly into individual unit particles at various disintegration speeds. Then, these unit particles break up and their fragments are observed as synchronic bands. These fragments continue to disintegrate or sublimate into smaller pieces and finally they become too small to be seen at a certain normalized lifetime.The structures calculated with this theory fit well the observed shape and orientation of the synchronic bands of Comet West and Comet Seki–Lines. This dynamic model suggests that the radii of the complex particles and the radii of the unit particles are of less than visible wavelength.