Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations
We present an analysis of asteroid (3200) Phaethon using coronagraphic observations from 2008 to 2022 by the COR2 cameras onboard the twin Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory spacecraft. Although undetected in individual images, Phaethon was visible in stacks combined from the same perihelion ob...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2023-01-01
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| Series: | The Astronomical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acae9c |
| _version_ | 1797697277760897024 |
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| author | Man-To Hui |
| author_facet | Man-To Hui |
| author_sort | Man-To Hui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We present an analysis of asteroid (3200) Phaethon using coronagraphic observations from 2008 to 2022 by the COR2 cameras onboard the twin Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory spacecraft. Although undetected in individual images, Phaethon was visible in stacks combined from the same perihelion observations, yet only at small (≲30°) but not large (≳150°) phase angles. The observations are in line with the contribution from a bare nucleus, thereby seriously contradicting the interpretation based on HI-1 observations that attributes the perihelion activity to the ejection of μ m-sized dust. We obtained an upper limit to the effective cross section of μ m-sized dust to be ≲10 ^5 m ^2 , at least three orders of magnitude smaller than earlier estimates based on HI-1 data. On the contrary, the COR2 observations cannot rule out the existence of mm-sized or larger debris around Phaethon. However, the fact that no postperihelion debris tail has ever been detected for Phaethon suggests the unimportance of such dust in the perihelion activity. We thus conclude that the perihelion activity of Phaethon is highly unlikely relevant to the ejection of dust. Rather, we deduce that the activity is associated with gas emissions, possibly Fe i and/or Na D lines. To verify our conjecture and to fully understand the perihelion activity of Phaethon, more observations at small heliocentric distances are desired. We compile a list of observing windows ideal for the search of gas emissions of the asteroid from ground telescopes. The best opportunities will be during total solar eclipses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T03:38:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b6e05f07836646fa98c84d7f6c814ee5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1538-3881 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T03:38:02Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Astronomical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-b6e05f07836646fa98c84d7f6c814ee52023-09-03T13:07:53ZengIOP PublishingThe Astronomical Journal1538-38812023-01-0116539410.3847/1538-3881/acae9cPerihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 ObservationsMan-To Hui0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9067-7477State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Science, Macau University of Science and Technology , Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau ; mthui@must.edu.moWe present an analysis of asteroid (3200) Phaethon using coronagraphic observations from 2008 to 2022 by the COR2 cameras onboard the twin Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory spacecraft. Although undetected in individual images, Phaethon was visible in stacks combined from the same perihelion observations, yet only at small (≲30°) but not large (≳150°) phase angles. The observations are in line with the contribution from a bare nucleus, thereby seriously contradicting the interpretation based on HI-1 observations that attributes the perihelion activity to the ejection of μ m-sized dust. We obtained an upper limit to the effective cross section of μ m-sized dust to be ≲10 ^5 m ^2 , at least three orders of magnitude smaller than earlier estimates based on HI-1 data. On the contrary, the COR2 observations cannot rule out the existence of mm-sized or larger debris around Phaethon. However, the fact that no postperihelion debris tail has ever been detected for Phaethon suggests the unimportance of such dust in the perihelion activity. We thus conclude that the perihelion activity of Phaethon is highly unlikely relevant to the ejection of dust. Rather, we deduce that the activity is associated with gas emissions, possibly Fe i and/or Na D lines. To verify our conjecture and to fully understand the perihelion activity of Phaethon, more observations at small heliocentric distances are desired. We compile a list of observing windows ideal for the search of gas emissions of the asteroid from ground telescopes. The best opportunities will be during total solar eclipses.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acae9cNear-Earth objectsAsteroidsSmall Solar System bodiesNear-sun comets |
| spellingShingle | Man-To Hui Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations The Astronomical Journal Near-Earth objects Asteroids Small Solar System bodies Near-sun comets |
| title | Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations |
| title_full | Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations |
| title_fullStr | Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations |
| title_short | Perihelion Activity of (3200) Phaethon is Not Dusty: Evidence from STEREO/COR2 Observations |
| title_sort | perihelion activity of 3200 phaethon is not dusty evidence from stereo cor2 observations |
| topic | Near-Earth objects Asteroids Small Solar System bodies Near-sun comets |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/acae9c |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mantohui perihelionactivityof3200phaethonisnotdustyevidencefromstereocor2observations |