Near-infrared spectroscopy of the nucleus of comet 124P/Mrkos

We report near-infrared (0.9–2.3  μ m) spectral observations of the bare nucleus of comet 124P/Mrkos taken on two different nights using the Near Infrared Camera Spectrometer (NICS) attached to the 3.56 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG). Both spectra are very similar, featureless and slightly redder than the Sun, resembling the spectrum of a D type asteroid. The spectrum and the low activity level of the nucleus of 124P suggest that it is covered by a large insulating dust mantle.

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