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Evidence for chain molecules enriched in carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in comet HalleyIn situ measurements of the composition and spatial distribution of heavy thermal positive ions in the coma of comet Halley were made with the heavy-ion analyzer RPA2-PICCA aboard the Giotto spacecraft. Above 50 atomic mass units an ordered series of mass peaks centered at 61, 75, 91, and 105 atomic mass units were observed. Each peak appears to be composed of three or more closely spaced masses. The abundances decrease and the dissociation rates increase smoothly with increasing mass. These observations suggest the presence of chain molecules that are enriched in carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, such as polyoxymethylene (polymerized formaldehyde), in comet Halley.
Document ID
19870063933
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mitchell, D. L.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Lin, R. P.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Anderson, K. A.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Carlson, C. W.
(California Univ. Berkeley, CA, United States)
Curtis, D. W.
(California, University Berkeley, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 7, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 237
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
87A51207
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: CNES-84-1212
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-3575
CONTRACT_GRANT: BMFT-01-OF-052
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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