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Comet kohoutek: ultraviolet images and spectrograms
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 23, 1974
Summary
Observations of Comet Kohoutek revealed emissions from atomic oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. The study determined the comet
Area of Science:
- Space science
- Cometary science
- Atmospheric physics
Background:
- Comet Kohoutek's composition and emissions are of significant scientific interest.
- Ultraviolet emissions provide insights into cometary atmospheric processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To observe and quantify emissions of atomic oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen from Comet Kohoutek.
- To determine the atomic hydrogen production rate of the comet.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ultraviolet cameras on a sounding rocket for observations.
- Analyzed the Lyman-alpha halo at 1216 angstroms.
Main Results:
- Detected emissions of atomic oxygen (1304 Å), atomic carbon (1657 Å), and atomic hydrogen (1216 Å).
- Calculated an atomic hydrogen production rate of 4.5 x 10^29 atoms per second.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully quantified key atomic emissions from Comet Kohoutek.
- The determined hydrogen production rate offers valuable data for cometary models.
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