Distant Comets in the Early Solar System

Abstract

The main goal of this project is to physically characterize the small outer solar system bodies. One of planetary science's highest priorities is an understanding of the dynamics and physical properties of the outer solar system small bodies. The measurement of the size distribution of these bodies will help constrain the early mass of the outer solar system as well as lead to an understanding of the collisional and accretional processes. We will increase the database of comet nucleus sizes making it statistically meaningful to compare with those of the Trans-Neptunian Objects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 23, 2000
Accession Number
ADA377842

Entities

People

  • Karen J. Meech

Organizations

  • University of HawaiĘ»i System

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautics
  • Astronomy
  • Biological Sciences
  • Data Sets
  • Databases
  • Dynamics
  • Environment
  • Extreme Environments
  • Ground Based
  • Measurement
  • Physical Properties
  • Solar System
  • Space Missions
  • Students
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Roughness
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Spectroscopy.