Ammonium Salts as a Source of Small Organic Molecules Observed with DFMS/ROSINA

Our laboratory investigations of sublimating ammonium salts by high-resolution electron-impact ionization mass spectrometry create reference spectra to be used for the analysis of in situ data collected by the ROSINA instrument suite in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during the ESA's Rosetta mission. Conclusions drawn from a joint interpretation of laboratory and space data have the potential to significantly contribute to the debate whether or not ammonium salts are an extended source for ammonia and thus an abundant species in comets.