Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 1994
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994a%26a...286..645r&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 286, no. 2, p. 645-653
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11
Carbon, Comet Heads, Comet Nuclei, Comet Tails, Cometary Atmospheres, Diffuse Radiation, Emission Spectra, Fluorescence, Halley'S Comet, Swan Bands, Astronomical Spectroscopy, Monte Carlo Method, Rotational States
Scientific paper
The spectra of Halley's comet obtained on March 9, 1986, by the Three-Channel Spectrometer (TKS) embarked on board the Vega 2 spacecraft, allow a study of the variation of the shape of the C2 Swan band sequence (Delta nu = 0) fluorescence spectrum. The spectra obtained, which do not separate the different bands of this sequence, reveal nevertheless an important variation in the ratio of two intensities obtained at wavelengths close to the (1,1) and (0,0) bandheads. The spatial repartition of this ratio shows low values near the nucleus (less than a few thousand kilometers), high values in the jets, and intermediate values outside the jets and far from the nucleus (above about 15 000 km). These facts are interpreted, employing a study of the C2 fluorescence spectrum based on a Monte-Carlo method, by some different excitation temperatures, possibly due to two different origins for the C2 molecules: a main one in the nucleus, and a secondary one in a dust jet of CHON grains. The long time needed by the C2 molecules to reach their fluorescent equilibrium (about 3000 s), and two different initial population distributions, would explain the TKS observations.
Clairemidi Jacques
Moreels Guy
Rousselot Philippe
No associations
LandOfFree
Evolution of the C2 spectrum in Halley's inner coma: Evidence for a diffuse source 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 Evolution of the C2 spectrum in Halley's inner coma: Evidence for a diffuse source, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evolution of the C2 spectrum in Halley's inner coma: Evidence for a diffuse source will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1862161