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Detailed Reference Information |
Nordholt, J.E., Reisenfeld, D.B., Wiens, R.C., Gary, S.P., Crary, F., Delapp, D.M., Elphic, R.C., Funsten, H.O., Hanley, J.J., Lawrence, D.J., McComas, D.J., Shappirio, M., Steinberg, J.T., Wang, J. and Young, D.T. (2003). Deep Space 1 encounter with Comet 19P/Borrelly: Ion composition measurements by the PEPE mass spectrometer. Geophysical Research Letters 30: doi: 10.1029/2002GL016840. issn: 0094-8276. |
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We report in situ ion mass spectrometer measurements from the coma of Comet 19P/Borrelly, obtained during the flyby of the Deep Space 1 spacecraft on 22 September 2001. Cometary ions were detected at distances from ~5.5 ¿ 105 km to 2200 km from the nucleus of the comet. The predominant heavy ions observed during the seven minute interval about closest approach to Borrelly included OH+ (at 57% of the total water-group ion density), H2O+ (at 29%), O+ (at 13%), CH3+ (at 5%), and CH2+ (at 4%). Of particular note is the small amount of H3O+ (<9%), as this was the most abundant molecular ion observed at closest approach to Comet Halley. This difference is due to the difference in water production rates between the two comets. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Atmospheres--composition and chemistry, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Interactions with solar wind plasma and fields, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Composition |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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