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Subaru Telescope reveals the shape and temperature of Comet Encke's nucleus
Key Points
Mid-infrared observations with the Subaru Telescope have revealed the shape and surface temperature of the nucleus of Comet 2P/Encke. By analyzing how the nucleus's thermal emission changed as it rotated, the researchers found that the nucleus is elongated, with a long axis of about 7 kilometers and a short axis of about 3 kilometers. They also determined that the surface temperature at the time of observation was 328 ± 7 Kelvin (about 55°C).
Mid-infrared observations with the Subaru Telescope have revealed the shape and surface temperature of the nucleus of Comet 2P/Encke. By analyzing how the nucleus's thermal emission changed as it rotated, the researchers found that the nucleus is elongated, with a long axis of about 7 kilometers and a short axis of about 3 kilometers. They also determined that the surface temperature at the time of observation was 328 ± 7 Kelvin (about 55°C).