Infrared emission from P/Halley's dust coma during March 1986.

2 to 20 micrometers photometry of the inner dust coma of comet Halley was obtained at the NASA IRTF on Mar 6.85, 12.8, 13.75, 17.7, and 24.8. Positions offset 10" were measured as well as the central brightness. The strength of the 10 micrometers emission feature was observed to vary with location in the coma. The infrared emission is in general agreement with the dust size distribution measured from the Vega and Giotto spacecraft. Mar 6.8, 17.7, and 24.8 corresponded to strong dust jet activity. The strength of the 10 micrometers silicate emission is shown to be a sensitive indicator of grain size and thus of jet activity. Dust production rate on March 13.75, 6 h before Giotto encounter, was approximately 10(7) gm s-1.