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[29.06] Quantitative Analysis of Gas and Dust Jets in Comet Hale-Bopp

S. Lederer (U. Florida), H. Campins (Res. Corp.), D.J. Osip (MIT), D.G. Schleicher (Lowell Obs.)

We present a quantitative analysis of narrowband gas and dust images of Comet Hale-Bopp acquired in March and April, 1997. The images were obtained using Lowell Observatory's 1.1\,m Hall Telescope and a \rm 2048² CCD camera. The new Hale-Bopp filter set was employed. These filters isolate the emission from OH, NH, CN, \rm C₃, and \rm C₂, as well as several of the cleanest continuum (dust) regions.

Previously, we reported the identification of jets in all observed species (Lederer {\it et al.} in press, Earth, Moon, and Planets). This included the first narrowband imaging of OH and NH jets in any comet. We have continued to analyze these images. Our main goal is to determine if these jets originated from a nuclear or extended source. We will discuss the following parameters: (a) the location and Gaussian width of the jets, (b) the projected expansion velocity, and (c) the level at which the jets are detected above the isotropic background. Through modeling, we can estimate the fraction of gas and dust that diffused isotropically from the surface compared with the portion ejected from localized jets. Finally, we will discuss observed temporal and spatial differences among the gas species and dust.