| Name: | Said Hmiddouch |
| Affiliation: | Space sciences, Technologies & Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute, University of Liège, Belgium. / Oukaimeden Observatory, High Energy Physics and Astrophysics Laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco. |
| Conference ID : | ASI2024_991 |
| Title : | Monitoring the activity and composition of comet C/2017 (PanSTARRS) from photometry and long-slit spectroscopy. |
| Authors : | S. Hmiddouch1,2*, E. Jehin1, M. Vander Donckt1, A. Jabiri2, M. Lippi3, Y. Moulane4, and Z. Benkhaldoun2.
* Speaker |
| Authors Affiliation: | 1 Space sciences, Technologies & Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute, University of Liège, Belgium.
2 Oukaimeden Observatory, High Energy Physics and Astrophysics Laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
3 Physics INAF - Osservatorio astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy.
4 Physics Department, Leach Science Center, Auburn University, AL 36832, USA. |
| Mode of Presentation: | Poster |
| Abstract Category : | Sun, Solar System, Exoplanets, and Astrobiology |
| Abstract : | Introduction:
Comets are remnants of the early Solar System, as they formed from icy and dusty material 4.6 billion years ago. Therefore, their study provides valuable information on the physico-chemical environment of the early Solar System. The dynamical distribution of comets has evolved since then, most notably due to the migration of giant planets. Today, the main reservoirs are the Oort cloud, the source of the isotropic Oort cloud comets or long period comets with orbital periods exceeding 200 years, and the Kuiper Belt, the source of the short period comets and particularly the Jupiter Family Comets. We report the results of a long photometric monitoring and spectroscopic observations of comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS), with TRAPPIST telescopes [1], UVES, and CRIRES+ at the ESO VLT.
Photometry:
17K2 reached its perihelion on 2022 December 19 (rh=1.8 au) and became a bright target, offering favorable observing conditions, particularly in the Southern hemisphere. We started observing 17K2 with TRAPPIST-North on October 25, 2017, using broad-band filters when the comet was still at 15 au from the Sun. We started collecting broad and narrow-band images with TRAPPIST-South on September 9, 2021 (rh=5.4 au) when the comet became visible and bright from the southern hemisphere. Emissions of NH, OH, CN, C2, and C3 radicals were detected close to perihelion, along with the dust continuum.
Optical and Infrared Spectroscopy:
Simultaneously, optical and infrared spectroscopic observations were performed using UVES and CRIRES+ at ESO VLT during May, July, and September 2022. In the optical spectra, various daughter species were identified, including OH, NH, CO2+, CN, C3, and C2. Green Oxygen [OI] and red doublet lines were detected, along with Nickel (NiI) and Iron (FeI) lines. In the infrared spectra, CO, CH4, and C2H6 were observed, as well as faint lines of H2O, HCN, and C2H2. |
