Analysis of total visual and CCD V-broadband observations

of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp): 19952001

A.A. de Almeida
a
, R. Boczko
a
, G.C. Sanzovo
b
, D. Trevisan Sanzovo
b


a
Department of Astronomy, Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Main
Campus,
Rua do Mato 1226, CEP 05508-090, So Paulo, SP, Brazil
b
Laboratory of Molecular Astrophysics, Department of Physics, State University of Londrina, Perobal, CEP 86051-970,
Londrina, PR, Brazil

Abstract
We developed a general method for determination of water production rates from groundbased visual
observations and applied it to Comet HaleBopp. Our main objective is to extend the method to include total
visual magnitude observations obtained with CCD detector and V filter in the analysis of total visual
magnitudes. We compare the CCD V-broadband careful observations of Liller [Liller, W. Pre-perihelion CCD
photometry of Comet 1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Planet. Space Sci. 45, 15051513, 1997; Liller, W. CCD photometry
of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp): 19952000. Int. Comet Quart. 23(3), 9397, 2001] with the total visual
magnitude observations from experienced international observers found in the International Comet Quarterly
(ICQ) archive. A data set of _400 CCD observations covering about the same 6 years time span of the _12,000
ICQ selected total visual magnitude observations were used in the analysis. A least-square method applied to
the water production rates, yields power laws as a function of the heliocentric distances for the pre- and post-
perihelion phases. The average dimension of the nucleus as well as its effective active area is determined and
compared with values published in the literature.

Advances in Space Research 44 (2009) 335339.

Doi> 10.1016/j.asr.2009.03.028

Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273117709002038