ISSN:
1573-0794
Keywords:
Astrochemistry
;
Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)
;
comets
;
molecular processes
;
molecules
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Many new cometary molecules — both parents and daughters — were detected in the exceptionally productive comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp).The space distribution of several of these species could be investigated from radio interferometry or from long-slit spectroscopy in the infrared. The distinction between parent species — directly sublimated from nucleus ices — and secondary species — resulting from chemical processing in the coma or produced by a secondary source — is not always clear. It is important to assess whether or not observed minor species (HCOOCH3, HCOOH...) could be synthesized by chemical reactions favoured by the high density of the coma of comet Hale-Bopp. Chemical modelling by Rodgers and Charnley suggests that this is notthe case. CO and H2CO are abundant cometary species which partly come from distributed sources. The nature of these sources is still a mystery. A special case, now well documented, is that of HNC, for which the abundance evolution with heliocentric distance could be observed in comet Hale-Bopp and which was observed in several much less productive comets.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021530016410
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