Mass of particles released by comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during 2023-2024 outbursts

Abstract

During its most recent return, comet 12P/Pons-Brooks experienced 14 well-documented outbursts, observed between June 13, 2023, and April 2024, at heliocentric distances ranging from $4.26$au to $0.85$au. After perihelion, two additional outbursts were observed in summer 2024, at heliocentric distances of $1.20$au and $2.26$au. Using observational data, we developed a numerical model to estimate the mass ejected during these events, focusing on the sublimation of ice through the porous cometary nucleus. The key factors affecting ejected mass estimates are the outburst amplitude and the active surface area during both quiet sublimation and the outburst phases. Pogson's law was used to express outburst magnitude, incorporating scattering cross-sections of cometary agglomerates. The model iteratively determined the mass ejected in observed outbursts, considering various ice types (H${}_2$O and CO${}_2$) controlling sublimation activity. Our results indicate that the mass ejected during these outbursts ranged from 10${}^{10}$ to 10${}^{13}$ kg. Our findings highlight the significant role of surface morphology and thermodynamic conditions in cometary outbursts, providing insights into the mechanisms driving these phenomena and their implications for cometary evolution and dust trail formation. Based on the analysis of observational data, we propose a six-level classification scheme for cometary outbursts.

Submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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