Ultraviolet spectroscopy of cometary comaeDuring the past decade, vacuum ultraviolet spectra of over 30 comets have been obtained with the IUE satellite observatory. With few exceptions, the spectra of these comets appear to be similar, with OH and H produced by the photodissociation of water being the dominant species and emissions of C, O, S, CS and CO2(+) usually present. Although signs of variabiity of many kinds in comet spectra appear, the evidence from the UV observations suggests that all comets have the same basic chemical composition and that observed differences are due to evolution and ageing processes. During the 1985-86 apparition of Comet Halley, spectra were also obtained by other spacecraft and by sounding rocket instruments, including a long-slit imaging spectrograph.
Document ID
19930029560
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Feldman, Paul D. (Johns Hopkins Univ. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: In: Comets in the post-Halley era. Vol. 1 (A93-13551 02-90)