Observations of cometary nuclei

Abstract

Attempts to observe cometary nuclei and to determine fundamental physical parameters relevant to the relationship between comets and asteroids are reviewed. It has been found that cometary nuclei, at least of periodic comets, are bigger and blacker than generally thought as recently as five years ago. Geometric albedos may be typically three percent and typical radii are probably of order 5 km. Nuclei of periodic comets are probably highly prolate unless they are both oblate and rotating about one of the major axes. P/Halley images provide convincing evidence of the existence of mantles discussed in many models. Numerous pieces of evidence suggest a connection between cometary nuclei and A-A asteroids of types D and C.