Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-08-23
Astrophys.J. 576 (2002) L165-L168
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in ApJ (Letters) - 10 Sept 2002
Scientific paper
10.1086/343763
We report low- and high-resolution spectra of comet C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) from McDonald Observatory. The comet had a well-developed ion tail including CO+, CO2+, CH+, and H2O+. We used our high-resolution spectra to search for N2+. None was detected and we placed upper limits on N2+/CO+ of 5.4 times 10^{-4}. N2+ was detected in the low-resolution spectra but we show that this emission was probably telluric in origin (if cometary, we derive N2+/CO+ = 5.5 times 10^{-3}, still very low). We discuss the implications for the conditions in the early solar nebula of the non-detection of N2+. These depend on whether the H2O ice was deposited in the amorphous or crystalline form. If H2O was deposited in its crystalline form, the detection of CO+ but not N2+ has implications for H2O/H2 in the early solar nebula.
No associations
LandOfFree
A Search for N2+ in Spectra of Comet C/2002C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Search for N2+ in Spectra of Comet C/2002C1 (Ikeya-Zhang), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Search for N2+ in Spectra of Comet C/2002C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-398206