PREDNASAJUCI / LECTURER :

Anhelina Voitko

(1) Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences,
059 60 Tatranská Lomnica
(2) Main Astronomical Observatory of National Academy of Sciences,
27 Akademika Zabolotnoho St, Kyiv 03143, Ukraine

NAZOV / TITLE :

Changes in dust color of comet C/2016 M1 (PanSTARRS)

ABSTRAKT / ABSTRACT :

In this work, we use archival observations of comet C/2016 M1 (PanSTARRS)
taken at the Skalnaté Pleso observatory to search for short-term variations in
its dust color. The comet was observed from July to October 2017 (12 nights)
using a 0.61-m Newtonian reflecting telescope. The dust color revealed a slight
bluing on August 26 and reddening on August 28, however, the overall activity
of the comet was stable and typical.
Using the model of agglomerated debris particles, we managed to reproduce the
observed color variations through dust composition changes. The bluest color
could be produced by either water-ice, Mg-rich silicate, amorphous carbon, or
their mixture, while the reddest color can be explained by a higher abundance
of Mg-Fe silicates and organics. We could make a more precise conclusion using
additional polarimetric data, however, our findings can be used for comparison
with future findings concerning this comet.