释义 |
IRAS-Iraki-Alcock IRAS–Iraki–Alcock (i-rah -kee awl -kok) (1983 VII) A comet detected in 1983 by the infrared satellite IRAS and independently by G. Iraki and E. Alcock. It passed only 4.6 × 106 km (0.03 AU) from Earth and just before closest approach it brightened to 2nd magnitude and exceded 3° across. The huge head was highly asymmetrical, with a fan of material spreading out sunwards from the off-centered starlike nucleus (which reached magnitude 12). No normal tail could be seen. Infrared and radar observations provided information on the composition and rotation of the nucleus. |