Organic Molecules in Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon)
Abstract
Results obtained from ALMA observations of Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) are presented. The 265-GHz continuum peak is uncovered to be offset spatially from spectral peaks, probably due to contamination from dust-tail emission. An isovelocity pattern typical to a rotating solid-body plane is apparent in the moment-1 HCN map. HNCO, cyclopropenylidene and vinyl cyanide are tentatively detected. The spatial distribution of HNCO appears to be localized and inhomogeneous in the cometary nucleus if HNCO is a primary species. Methanol gas is not only concentrated on the cometary nucleus but also extended to the north. c-C3H2 is likely associated with the cometary nucleus and C2H3CN, with the dust tail. The mighty ALMA certainly turns every ordinary comet into a Hale-Bopp, the brightest comet of the 20th century.
- Publication:
-
Revolution in Astronomy with ALMA: The Third Year
- Pub Date:
- December 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015ASPC..499..305C