So, if I may, some questions about the peci:
* why is it that only comets have comas, tails, etc? In particular, why do the many asteroids with similar orbits to comets not have them?
* what is the expected range of densities of comets?
* what is the explanation for the two different kinds of comet tail (dust, ion)?
* what is the expected structure and composition of comets?
* what are jets?
(that'll do for now)
1) The key point is the regime of the interaction with the solar wind. I think under certain conditions it may switch from "asteroid-like" to the "comet-like".
There are several factors here. First of all, the eccentricity of the orbit. Then, I guess, mineral composition. Maybe an individual history of the object plays a certain role (where it was formed, how it was magnetized, what kind of discharges already took place etc.). Also the solar factor plays a role, since it is obvious that heliosphere is quite anisotropic, and certain parameters (magnetic field components, proton flux speed/density/temperature etc.) may vary substantially.
I know that there are at least 13 known ateroids that have become comets (see "Active main-belt asteroid 62412 (2000 SY178) develops a tail" on Astronomy Now). And I suppose the backward transition is also possible. In my interpretation ("peci") in is just the switching of the regime of interaction with the Sun due to one of the aforementioned factors, or some others.
So actually I don't think it is a problem. Maybe those asteroids with cometary-like orbits will soon also turn into comets.
2) I have completely no idea.
As far as I know, the only type of celestial bodies with completely known inner structure are meteorites (since we can directly slice them, or X-ray scan them), and I have doubts about the current model of the inner structure of the Sun and the planets. I think the current theories are only assumptions at best.
And as you understand the density of the body is very dependent on what the inner structure is. For example, if we assume that there are hollow voids inside of the body, then its density will not only depend on the density of the "solid" part of the material, but also on the volume of those voids.
I'm voting for a very careful treatment of the questions of mass, inertia, density etc. Today we have some outrageous (in my opinion) assumptions at hand that the matter that we see is only 1/6 of all the matter. Because otherwise the equations won't work (I mean the galactic rotation curves, of course). I think it is ill logic and it directly violates Ockham's razor. If our equations don't work, that simply means that they are bad (or the physical assumptions standing behind them are bad), not that there is some invisible matter somewhere.
3) I don't know. I can only speculate.
4) If they are ripped off the rocky planets, obviously there should be structure and composition similar to those that are found on these planets.
However, there may be differences, since the dynamics of the process is rather unclear. For example those asteroid-meteoritic chondrules may form under the conditions of a discharge pretty much like those martian blueberries. And there could also be voids inside, due to the sublimation or even boiling of the rock.
These again are only assumptions.
5) The jets are channels with a relatively elevated plasma density, I guess. Maybe the nearby streams of solar wind particles are being gathered together due to the Ampere's force, and thus the jets are formed, or something like that.
I mean what kind of patterns would you expect, based on your previous speculations?
The rise should be nonlinear (the second derivative being positive), and after the peak there should probably be a sort of delay, when the brightness remains elevated, but the comet have already departed from perihelion.
Good morning again, paladin17.
This seems inconsistent with what you wrote in an earlier post.
I'll explain: I'm tired of being attacked with the sentence that looks like "A=B!!!", and the corresponding behaviour as if it should put an end to all of my assumptions once and for all. And at the same time the guy can't even back his words up with a single reference.
If there's no data, but there is such an imprinted statement, what should I suspect? Blind faith seems quite logical.
to what extent do you assume that Maxwell's equations are a good foundation for understanding electromagnetism? Ditto that contemporary plasma physics is a good basis for understanding space plasmas?
I think they are a good place to start.
Do I think that they are complete and could not be somehow enhanced one day? No, that would seemingly contradict all of our human history.