The HNC/HCN ratio in comets

Authors

William M. Irvine, University of Massachusetts - AmherstFollow
JE Dickens
AJ Lovell
FP Schloerb
M Senay
EA Bergin
D Jewitt
HE Matthews

Publication Date

1997

Journal or Book Title

EARTH MOON AND PLANETS

Abstract

The abundance ratio of the isomers HCN and HNC has been investigated in comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) through observations of the J = 4−3 rotational transitions of both species for heliocentric distances 0.93 < r < 3 AU, both pre- and post-perihelion. After correcting for the optical depth of the stronger HCN line, we find that the column density ratio of HNC/HCN in our telescope beam increases significantly as the comet approaches the Sun. We compare this behavior to that predicted from an ion-molecule chemical model and conclude that the HNC is produced insignificant measure by chemical processes in the coma; i.e., for comet Hale-Bopp, HNC is not a parent molecule sublimating from the nucleus.

Comments

The published version is located at http://www.springerlink.com/content/u467634mxwkl8245/

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006202823878

Pages

29-35

Volume

78

Issue

1-3

Recommended Citation

Irvine, William M.; Dickens, JE; Lovell, AJ; Schloerb, FP; Senay, M; Bergin, EA; Jewitt, D; and Matthews, HE, "The HNC/HCN ratio in comets" (1997). EARTH MOON AND PLANETS. 199.
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006202823878