The Synodic Rotation Period of Comet 17P/Holmes

Abstract

Comet 17P/Holmes was observed in October and November 2007, after the brightness outburst of 24 October. Approximately 11.5 hours of data were collected. A time series analysis reveals a periodicity of 6.29±0.01 hour in the brightness of the inner coma with a single-peak light curve. The object probably has an extremely active area in the nucleus. Therefore, the synodic rotation period is probably equal to the 6.29-hour periodicity that we found.