Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005

Details Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005 Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005

2006-10-26

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0610779v1

Planet.Space Sci.55:1058-1068,2007

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

accepted for publication in Planetary and Space Science

Scientific paper

10.1016/j.pss.2006.11.010

The Odin satellite, launched in Feb. 2001, is equipped with a 1.1-m submillimetre telescope. Odin was used to observe the 557 GHz line of water with high spectral resolution in 12 comets between 2001 and 2005. Line shapes and spatial mapping provide information on the anisotropy of the outgassing and constraints on water excitation, enabling accurate measurements of the water production rate. Five comets were regularly observed over periods of more than one month to monitor the variation of their water outgassing rate with heliocentric distance. Observing campaigns have been generally coordinated with ground-based observations of molecular lines at Nan\c{c}ay, CSO or IRAM 30-m telescopes to obtain molecular abundances relative to water. Thanks to Odin's frequency coverage, it was also possible to detect the H_2^18O 548GHz line, first in comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang in April 2002 (Lecacheux et al., 2003) and then in comets C/2002 T7 (LINEAR), C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) and C/2004 Q2 (Machholz). The ^16O/^18O isotopic ratio (\approx450) is consistent with the terrestrial value. Ammonia has been searched for in three comets through its J_K = 1_0-0_0 line at 572 GHz and was tentatively detected in C/2001 Q4 and C/2002 T7. The derived abundances of NH_3 relative to water are 0.5 % and 0.3 %, respectively, similar to values obtained in other comets with different techniques.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005 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 Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Submillimetre observations of comets with Odin: 2001-2005 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-113624