The size distribution of Jupiter Family comet nuclei

TL;DR

This paper updates the size distribution of Jupiter Family comet nuclei, providing a more precise slope estimate by incorporating extensive observations and rigorous uncertainty analysis through Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It offers an improved, uncertainty-aware size distribution for JFC nuclei based on new data and advanced fitting methods.

Findings

The size distribution slope q is 1.92 ± 0.20 for nuclei ≥ 1.25 km.

Inclusion of extensive observational data enhances the accuracy of the size distribution.

Monte Carlo simulations effectively quantify uncertainties in the distribution parameters.

Abstract

We present an updated cumulative size distribution (CSD) for Jupiter Family comet (JFC) nuclei, including a rigourous assessment of the uncertainty on the slope of the CSD. The CSD is expressed as a power law, N(>r_N) \propto r_N^{-q}, where r_N is the radius of the nuclei and q is the slope. We include a large number of optical observations published by ourselves and others since the comprehensive review in the "Comets II" book (Lamy et al. 2004), and make use of an improved fitting method. We assess the uncertainty on the CSD due to all of the unknowns and uncertainties involved (photometric uncertainty, assumed phase function, albedo and shape of the nucleus) by means of Monte Carlo simulations. In order to do this we also briefly review the current measurements of these parameters for JFCs. Our final CSD has a slope q=1.92\pm 0.20 for nuclei with radius r_N \ge 1.25 km.