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Systematics of the CHON and other light-element particle populations in Comet HalleyBased on chemical signatures measured by the PIA experiment during the Giotto flyby of comet Halley, particle classifications were designated. In addition to silicate-like grains and particles of mixed (cosmic) composition, there appear to be several light-element rich populations, including the CHON, (H,C), (H,C,O), and (H,C,N) particle types. These compositional classes are further distinguished by differences in mass distributions, a density indicator, and variations in relative abundance within the coma. These particle populations are evidence for chemical heterogeneity in the surface of the cometary nucleus. Particles found mainly in the inner coma may be volatile icy grains. Most of the N of the comet may be found in up to three different populations of grains; one or more of these may be responsible for the observation of cyanojets.
Document ID
19870017348
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Clark, Benton
(Martin Marietta Aerospace Denver, CO, United States)
Mason, Larry W.
(Martin Marietta Aerospace Denver, CO, United States)
Kissel, Jochen
(Max-Planck-Inst. fuer Kernphysik Heidelberg, Germany)
Date Acquired
September 5, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: ESA, Proceedings of the 20th ESLAB Symposium on the Exploration of Halley's Comet. Volume 3: Posters
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
87N26781
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: JPL-956214
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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