On the nucleus structure and activity of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
H. Sierks(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), C. Barbieri(University of Padua), P. Lamy(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), R. Rodrigo(Centro de Astrobiología), D. Koschny(European Space Research and Technology Centre), H. Rickman(Centrum Badań Kosmicznych), H. U. Keller(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), Jessica Agarwal(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), Michael F. A’Hearn(Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities), F. Angrilli(University of Padua), Anne-Therese Auger(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Maria Antonella Barucci(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), J.–L. Bertaux(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Ivano Bertini(University of Padua), S. Besse(European Space Research and Technology Centre), Dennis Bodewits(University of Maryland, College Park), Claire Capanna(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), G. Cremonese(Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova), Vania Da Deppo(Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies), B. Davidsson(Uppsala University), S. Debei(University of Padua), M. De Cecco(University of Trento), F. Ferri(University of Padua), S. Fornasier(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), M. Fulle(Trieste Astronomical Observatory), R. W. Gaskell(Planetary Science Institute), Lorenza Giacomini(University of Padua), O. Groussin(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), P. Gutiérrez–Marques(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), P. J. Gutiérrez(Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), C. Güttler(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), N. M. Hoekzema(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), S. F. Hviid(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), W.-H. Ip(Macau University of Science and Technology), L. Jordá(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), J. Knollenberg(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), Gábor Kovács(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), J.‐R. Kramm(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), E. Kührt(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), M. Küppers(European Space Astronomy Centre), Fiorangela La Forgia(University of Padua), L. M. Lara(Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), M. Lazzarin(University of Padua), C. Leyrat(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), J. J. López‐Moreno(Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía), Sara Magrin(University of Padua), S. Marchi(Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute), F. Marzari(University of Padua), Matteo Massironi(University of Padua), H. Michalik(Technische Universität Braunschweig), Richard Moissl(European Space Astronomy Centre), S. Mottola(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), G. Naletto(University of Padua), N. Oklay(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), M. Pajola(University of Padua), Marco Pertile(University of Padua), Frank Preusker(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), L. Sabau(Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial), F. Scholten(Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)), C. Snodgrass(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), Nicolas Thomas(University of Bern), C. Tubiana(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), Jean-Baptiste Vincent(Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research), Klaus-Peter Wenzel(European Space Research and Technology Centre), Mirco Zaccariotto(University of Padua), M. Pätzold(Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research)
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Abstract
Images from the OSIRIS scientific imaging system onboard Rosetta show that the nucleus of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko consists of two lobes connected by a short neck. The nucleus has a bulk density less than half that of water. Activity at a distance from the Sun of >3 astronomical units is predominantly from the neck, where jets have been seen consistently. The nucleus rotates about the principal axis of momentum. The surface morphology suggests that the removal of larger volumes of material, possibly via explosive release of subsurface pressure or via creation of overhangs by sublimation, may be a major mass loss process. The shape raises the question of whether the two lobes represent a contact binary formed 4.5 billion years ago, or a single body where a gap has evolved via mass loss.
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