Chemical Composition of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet

Biology

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Astrobiology, Comets: Individual:(C/2007 N3 (Lulin)), C/2007 N3: Lulin), Methods: Observational, Planets And Satellites: Formation, Techniques: Spectroscopic

Scientific paper

We measured the volatile chemical composition of comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin) on three dates from 2009 January 30 to February 1 using NIRSPEC, the high-resolution (λ/Δλ ≈ 25,000), long-slit echelle spectrograph at Keck 2. We sampled nine primary (parent) volatile species (H2O, C2H6, CH3OH, H2CO, CH4, HCN, C2H2, NH3, CO) and two product species (OH* and NH2). We also report upper limits for HDO and CH3D. C/2007 N3 (Lulin) displayed an unusual composition when compared to other comets. Based on comets measured to date, CH4 and C2H6 exhibited "normal" abundances relative to water, CO and HCN were only moderately depleted, C2H2 and H2CO were more severely depleted, and CH3OH was significantly enriched. Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin) is another important and unusual addition to the growing population of comets with measured parent volatile compositions, illustrating that these studies have not yet reached the level where new observations simply add another sample to a population with well-established statistics.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Chemical Composition of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet 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 Chemical Composition of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Chemical Composition of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1551662

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.