New spin period determination for comet 6P/d'arrest

DOI: 
Publication date: 
01/01/2003
Main author: 
Gutiérrez P.J.
IAA authors: 
Lara, L.M.
Authors: 
Gutiérrez P.J., De Leon J., Jorda L., Licandro J., Lara L.M., Lamy P.
Journal: 
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publication type: 
Letter
Volume: 
407
Pages: 
L37-L40
Number: 
Abstract: 
A lightcurve of comet 6P/d'Arrest from R-band CCD images taken at La Palma 2.52 m NOT telescope is presented. The lightcurve shows noticeable periodic changes in brightness produced by rotational modulation. The periodogram analysis of the lightcurve shows a peak with a confidence level exceeding 99.9% at 3.336 h. Assuming an elongated nucleus, the most likely spin period is therefore 6.67 ± 0.03 h, but other periodicities are also possible. The peak to peak amplitude is 0.082 ± 0.016 mag. This period, and the other peaks detected in the periodogram, are not commensurable with previous estimates of the spin period of comet 6P/d'Arrest. If all the measurements are correct, the differences between this estimate and the previous ones could be due to a possible change in the spin period of comet 6P/d'Arrest or to this comet being rotating in a complex mode.
Database: 
SCOPUS
Keywords: 
6P/d'Arrest; Comets; Individual