ISSN:
1573-0794
Keywords:
Radio interferometry
;
spatial distribution
;
extended sources
;
nucleus rotation
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) has been observed on October 5 and 25, 1996 and from March 6 to March 22, 1997 with the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) interferometer at Plateau de Bure (France). Millimetre lines of HCN,HNC, CO, H2CO, CH3OH, H2S, CS and SO were mapped with spatial resolutions of 1.5–3.5 arc sec. These observations allow us to investigate whether these species are released by the nucleus or produced in the coma by extended sources or photo-processes. The brightness distribution of the HCN J (1-0) line is consistent with release from the nucleus. The HNC J (1-0) distribution deviates from that of HCN in the innermost coma, and indicates production of HNC in the coma. This is in agreement with the heliocentric variation of the HNC/HCN ratio (Biver et al., 1997, Science 275, 1915; Irvine et al., 1998, this issue) and formation by chemical reactions (Rodgers and Charnley, 1998, Ap. J. 501, L227; Irvine et al., 1998, Nature 393, 547). There is clear evidence that SO is a photo dissociation product. The observations also confirm that H2CO is mainly produced by an extended source, as first evidenced in comet P/Halley. The contribution of the nucleus to the total H2CO production rate does not exceed 6%. The molecular lines have also been monitored hourly with the five antennas of the interferometer in single-dish mode. The line velocity shifts show aperiodic modulation linked to the nucleus rotation. The amplitude of the modulation differs from one species to another. The periodic modulation seen for the CO J (2-1) line on March 11 suggests that a significant fraction of CO is released continuously night and day by an active source situated at equatorial latitudes on the nucleus surface.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006263026604
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