Deep Impact: Excavating Comet Tempel 1
Abstract
Deep Impact collided with comet Tempel 1, excavating a crater controlled by gravity. The comet's outer layer is composed of 1- to 100-micrometer fine particles with negligible strength (<65 pascals). Local gravitational field and average nucleus density (600 kilograms per cubic meter) are estimated from ejecta fallback. Initial ejecta were hot (>1000 kelvins). A large increase in organic material occurred during and after the event, with smaller changes in carbon dioxide relative to water. On approach, the spacecraft observed frequent natural outbursts, a mean radius of 3.0 ± 0.1 kilometers, smooth and rough terrain, scarps, and impact craters. A thermal map indicates a surface in equilibrium with sunlight.
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The outburst of June 14 was first reported on the DI Collaborators' Network by L.-M. Lara, based on observations at Calar Alto. It was then found easily in the data from the spacecraft. The later ones were found in near-real time in the spacecraft data. The outburst of June 22 was observed simultaneously and serendipitously with the Hubble Space Telescope. The earlier outbursts were found during the rotational analysis.
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This work was funded by NASA through its Discovery Program, with a contract to the University of Maryland and a task order to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In addition to the referees, M. Mumma and D. BockeleÌe-Morvan provided helpful comments.
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Science
Volume 310 | Issue 5746
14 October 2005
14 October 2005
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American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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Received: 16 August 2005
Accepted: 1 September 2005
Published in print: 14 October 2005
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