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Science 13 January 1989:
Vol. 243. no. 4888, pp. 198 - 200
DOI: 10.1126/science.243.4888.198
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Articles

Active Polar Region on the Nucleus of Comet Halley

H. J. REITSEMA 1, W. A. DELAMERE 1, and F. L. WHIPPLE 2

1 Ball Aerospace Systems Division, Boulder, CO 80306.
2 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138.

The images of the nucleus of comet Halley returned by the Giotto spacecraft reveal a number of active regions on the surface, one of which is near the expected location of the rotation pole. This feature is larger and brighter than other source regions, suggesting that the mechanism that drives this source is also different. At this active region near the rotation pole, the sun was circumpolar for a significant portion of the solar encounter. Continuous insolation heated the nucleus to greater depths than in other areas, producing the broad, active polar region.

Submitted on May 23, 1988
Accepted on October 18, 1988

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)