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First polymer in space identified in comet halley.

W F Huebner

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |August 7, 1987
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Short polymer chains of polyoxymethylene were identified as the source of the heavy-ion mass spectrum in comet Halley's inner coma. These findings align with unexpected coma observations, offering new insights into cometary composition.

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    Area of Science:

    • Cometary Science
    • Astrochemistry
    • Space Physics

    Background:

    • The inner coma of comets is a complex region containing various chemical species.
    • Previous observations of comet Halley's coma revealed unexpected chemical signatures.
    • Understanding cometary composition is crucial for deciphering the early solar system.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the heavy-ion mass spectrum from comet Halley's inner coma.
    • To identify the molecular source of the observed spectral data.
    • To reconcile spectral findings with existing knowledge of cometary environments.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of heavy-ion mass spectrometry data.
    • Utilized data from the PICCA instrument aboard the Giotto spacecraft.

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  • Comparison of spectral peaks with known molecular properties.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified short polymer chains of polyoxymethylene as the source of the spectrum.
    • Observed six distinct mass peaks ranging from approximately 45 to 120 atomic mass units.
    • Polyoxymethylene properties are consistent with previously unexpected coma observations.

    Conclusions:

    • Polyoxymethylene is a significant component in the inner coma of comet Halley.
    • The presence of polyoxymethylene helps explain anomalous observations in the cometary coma.
    • This discovery provides a new perspective on the chemical complexity of comets.