Evidence for interacting gas flows and an extended volatile source distribution in the coma of comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake)

Area of Science:

• Astronomy
• Cometary Science
• Planetary Science

Background:

• Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) provided unique imaging opportunities during its close approach to Earth.
• Understanding cometary coma composition and volatile production is key to solar system formation studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the inner coma morphology of Comet Hyakutake.
• To investigate the origins of observed gas and dust distributions and emission features.
• To determine the contribution of extended icy grain regions to cometary volatile production.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of images of Comet Hyakutake's inner coma.
• Morphological study of arc-shaped molecular resonant emission features.
• Model simulations to interpret observed features and production rates.

Main Results:

• Observed differences in gas and dust distribution within the inner coma.
• Identification of two distinct arc-shaped molecular resonant emission features.
• Evidence suggesting an extended region of icy grains surrounding the nucleus.
• Model simulations supported the icy grain hypothesis and quantified volatile production.

Conclusions:

• An extended icy grain region significantly contributes to Comet Hyakutake's volatile production.
• A trailing condensation of ice-bearing granules likely explains the brighter arc feature.
• The findings enhance our understanding of cometary activity and composition.