Dust production and coma morphology of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during the 2002–2003 apparition
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), C/Vía Láctea s/n, 38205 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
Corresponding author: mrk@ll.iac.es
Received:
27
May
2003
Accepted:
17
June
2003
Light curves and images of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko are presented for the 2002–2003 apparition based on amateur CCD
monitoring using a standardised method to produce consistent photometry in Johnson-Kron-Cousins system. Multiaperture
data shows a large outburst at perihelion during which dust production increased by a factor of 2 to give a peak value
of 
cm. A similar outburst
was seen at the same epoch of the previous apparition in 1995–96 and probably in 1982–83, suggesting that the light
curve is similar at succesive returns. A considerable change is seen in the slope of the
light curve at 
AU (
days) corresponding to a second significant increase in dust production. Overall
though the dust production shows a very steep dependence with heliocentric distance, falling as r-5.8.
Key words: comets: individual: 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko / techniques: photometric
© ESO, 2003