Meteoroid impact into short-period comet nuclei

Abstract

The effects of extended meteoroid bombardment on short-period comet nuclei are examined and their possible implications for asteroid and meteorite studies are discussed. It is suggested that after devolatilization of the nucleus, the accumulated material might combine with primary cometary solids to produce environments conducive to the formation of polymict brecciated meteorites and to influence reflectance spectra of the asteroids. Such meteoroids removed from active nuclei during degassing could be placed in trajectories that might evolve into earth-crossing orbits.