Gas phase chemistry in comets

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Astronomical Models, Chemical Composition, Comets, Molecular Spectra, Vapor Phases, Ammonia, Chemical Reactions, Methane, Photodissociation, Photoionization, Water Vapor

Scientific paper

A gas phase model for the formation of molecular species in comets is proposed. It is demonstrated that gas phase reactions rapidly reshuffle parent molecular species and that the interpretation of cometary spectra must take these processes into account. The observed species may be produced by reactions which proceed in steady state following photodissociation and ionization of any one hydrogen-bearing parent molecule. However, C-H bond formation may have a relatively long time scale. Little CH4 or NH3 will form in the gas phase. An observational test is proposed to determine whether gas phase formation or sublimation from the nucleus is responsible for the occurrence of H2O in comets. Densities of molecular species derived for a model of the coma at 10,000 km from the nucleus are in harmony with the observations.

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