Opposition effect of comet 28P/Neujmin observed with Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam
The episode discusses a study of comet 28P/Neujmin's opposition effect using Subaru's Hyper Suprime-Cam. The team observed the bare nucleus at very small phase angles, finding a sharp brightness surge stronger than typical dark asteroids, suggesting coherent backscattering. The result challenges assumptions about comet surface structure, though uncertainties remain.