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Chemistry in cometary comae

W M Irvine1, J E Dickens, A J Lovell

  • 1Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.

Faraday Discussions
|November 11, 1998
PubMed
Summary
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Gas-phase chemistry in comets like Hale-Bopp involves isomers hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen isocyanide. Their abundance varies with distance, suggesting production via ion-molecule reactions initiated by water photoionization.

Area of Science:

  • * Astrochemistry
  • * Cometary Science
  • * Planetary Science

Background:

  • * Cometary comae exhibit complex gas-phase chemistry.
  • * Understanding cometary composition provides insights into early solar system conditions.
  • * Comet Hale-Bopp offers a unique case study for cometary chemical processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the gas-phase chemistry in the coma of Comet Hale-Bopp.
  • * To determine the abundance ratio of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen isocyanide isomers.
  • * To map the distribution of HCO+ emission and compare it with chemical models.

Main Methods:

  • * Analysis of spectral data from Comet Hale-Bopp.
  • * Measurement of abundance ratios of HCN and HNC.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

Related Experiment Videos

  • * Mapping of HCO+ emission using observational data.

    • Main Results:

    • * The abundance ratio of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and hydrogen isocyanide (HNC) varies with heliocentric distance.
    • * This variation is consistent with HNC production via ion-molecule chemistry initiated by water photoionization.
    • * The first maps of HCO+ emission reveal an abundance and distribution matching the proposed chemical model.

    Conclusions:

    • * Ion-molecule chemistry, particularly initiated by water photoionization, plays a significant role in cometary coma chemistry.
    • * The observed abundance and distribution of HCN, HNC, and HCO+ in Comet Hale-Bopp support this chemical model.
    • * This study enhances our understanding of chemical processes occurring in comets.