Comets III (The University of Arizona Space Science Series)

Comets III brings a comprehensive update to the latest breakthroughs in comet science over the last twenty years and showcases how recent space missions and advancements in telescopic observations have revolutionized our understanding of these celestial bodies. With the contributions of more than eighty authors spanning twenty-five chapters, Comets III investigates the early solar system origins of comets and the clues provided by the composition and distribution of their present population for their long-term dynamical evolution and interrelations with other members of the solar system. Organized thematically, each section is designed to enable connections across disciplinary boundaries in both planetary science and planetary formation astrophysics. This comprehensive volume explores recent advancements in space missions, telescopic observations, and robotic surveys, providing new understandings of the origins and dynamics of comets. Intended for both researchers and students, Comets III offers insights into unresolved questions and sets the stage for future advancements.