Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley

Details Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley

Dec 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986natur.324..441w&link_type=abstract

Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 324, Dec. 4, 1986, p. 441-444. NASA-supported research.

Physics

53

Halley'S Comet, Line Spectra, Perihelions, Water Vapor, Brightness Distribution, Emission Spectra, Iue

Scientific paper

An ambitious postperihelion observational program has been carried out which significantly extends the scope of the Halley water investigation. The spectral bandwidth of the postperihelion data included essentially all of the nu3 band. Fifteen spectral lines of water were detected, including three previously undetected lines in the nu3 band and three lines in the (011-010) band. The observed relative intensities illustrate that water in the cometary coma is rotationally relaxed, as predicted by recent nonthermal equilibrium models. An ortho/para ratio of about three is consistent with both pre- and postperihelion data. The water spatial brightness profile can be fit by that of a parent molecule, and a significant sunward-tailward brightness asymmetry was observed which suggests ejection primarily into the sunlit hemisphere. Comet Halley exhibited marked temporal activity on time scales as short as two hours. The largest water production rate measured was 2.3 x 10 to the 30th mol/s on 24:18 UT in March 1986, which is about an order of magnitude or more larger than the production rates measured preperihelion at the same heliocentric distance, indicating a large pre- to postperihelion asymmetry in gas production.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley 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 Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Post-perihelion observations of water in comet Halley will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1126970