Water outgassing rates in comets with ODIN and the Nançay Radio Telescope.
Abstract
Recent advances in cometary research are related to the search for cometary complex molecules (see the contribution of Crovisier et al., this conference), as well as to the study of chemical diversity among comets (Biver et al., 2002, Earth, Moon, and Planets, 90, Issue 1, p. 323). These studies closely rely upon measurement of the water production rate, as it allows abundances determination and, hence, comparison between comets. Recently, the water line at 557 GHz and the OH 18-cm hyperfine transitions were measured with the Odin satellite and the Nançay radio telescope, respectively, in comets 2P/Encke, C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) and C/2001 Q4 (NEAT). Both water and OH production rates can be estimated and compared, since the cometary OH radical is a product of water photolysis. In addition, these observations allow the variable activity of the comets to be monitored, and coordinated multi-wavelength campaigns to be supported.
- Publication:
-
SF2A-2004: Semaine de l'Astrophysique Francaise
- Pub Date:
- December 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004sf2a.conf...69C