Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006apj...650l..87v&link_type=abstract
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 650, Issue 1, pp. L87-L90.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
32
Comets: Individual (73P/Sw3), Kuiper Belt, Solar System: Formation
Scientific paper
The composition of fragments C and B of the Jupiter-family comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 (SW3) was investigated in early April of 2006 at IR wavelengths using high-dispersion echelle spectroscopy. Both fragments were depleted in ethane, and C was depleted in most forms of volatile carbon. In particular, fragment C shows a severe depletion of CH3OH but a ``normal'' abundance of HCN (which has a similar volatility). Thermal processing is a possible explanation, but since fragment B is perhaps sublimating fresher material because of the frequent outbursts and fragmentation, the observed depletions might have cosmogonic implications. The chemistry of the volatile ices in SW3, like in the Oort Cloud comet C/1999 S4 (LINEAR), may be associated with sublimation of icy mantles from precometary grains followed by subsequent gas-phase chemistry and recondensation.
Blake Geoffrey A.
Bonev Boncho P. .
DiSanti Michael A.
Magee-Sauer Karen
Mumma Michael J.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Volatile Composition of the Split Ecliptic comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3: A Comparison of Fragments C and B 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 The Volatile Composition of the Split Ecliptic comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3: A Comparison of Fragments C and B, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Volatile Composition of the Split Ecliptic comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3: A Comparison of Fragments C and B will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-869831