AN INVESTIGATION OF THE LIGHT CURVE OF DEEP IMPACT TARGET COMET

The light curves of integrated visual brightness of the periodic comet 9P/Tempel during 1972, 1983, 1994, and 2005 appearances were constructed and studied. The values of photometrical parameters H₀, n, and H₁₀ were computed. A secular fading of this comet was studied. The photometrical peculiarities of comet and long-term evolution of comet's activity probably will change after impact. Therefore, the results, which are presented in this manuscript, are important.