Photometry of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 in 2012-2019

TL;DR

This study presents photometric observations of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 from 2012 to 2019, revealing its dust activity, jet structures, and a rotation period of approximately 57 days.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of the comet's dust activity, jet morphology, and rotation period based on multi-year observational data.

Findings

Dust activity level $Af\rho$ varied from 1246 to 17563 cm.

Four jet-like structures were consistently observed in the coma.

The nucleus rotation period was determined to be 57±2 days.

Abstract

The analysis of photometrical observations of comet 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 is presented. The broadband observations were carried out for 15 nights from 2012 to 2019 at the Lisnyky observational station of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Apparent magnitudes and dust productivity level $Af\rho$ in filter R were calculated. Middle and height dust activity of the comet is characterized by parameter $Af\rho$ which varied from 1246 to 17563 cm during all periods of observation. Based on the morphological analysis, four jet-like structures were detected in the coma on almost all dates. Using the geometrical model for the jet structure interpretation during all observation sets, we obtained following results: the nucleus rotation periodof 57\pm2 days, the rotational axis orientation, the locations of active regions for four jet-like structures within a narrow belt near the equator.