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The Hummingbird GC-IMS: In Situ Analysis of a Cometary NucleusComets are of enormous scientific interest for many reasons. They are primitive bodies that date back to the earliest stages of solar system formation and, because of their small size and because they have been stored in the outer reaches of the solar system, their pristine nature has been preserved better than for any other class of body. They are extremely rich in highly volatile elements, many in the form of ices, and are richer in organic matter than any other known solar system body. It is strongly suspected that in addition to their content of primordial solar nebular material, they also incorporate unprocessed matter from the interstellar medium. Impacts by comets occur onto all the planets and satellites, often with major consequences (e.g., the dinosaur extinction event at the KIT boundary), or sometimes just providing a spectacular cosmic event (e.g., the collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter). A mission to analyze a cometary nucleus must be capable of detecting and identifying over 30 molecular species among several different chemical groups. The Hummingbird Mission will rendezvous with, orbit, characterize, and make multiple descents to the nucleus of a comet. Hummingbird will employ a Gas Chromatograph - Ion Mobility Spectrometer (GC-IMS) as part-of a suite of sophisticated instruments for a comprehensive in situ elemental, molecular, and isotopic analysis of the comet.
Document ID
20000109957
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kojiro, Daniel R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Carle, Glenn C.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Cohen, Martin J.
(PCP, Inc. West Palm Beach, FL United States)
Wernlund, Roger F.
(PCP, Inc. West Palm Beach, FL United States)
Stimac, Robert M.
(PCP, Inc. West Palm Beach, FL United States)
Takeuchi, Norishige
(ManTech Systems Engineering Corp. Fairfax, VA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald L.
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 8th International Conference of On-Site Analysis
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: January 23, 2000
End Date: January 26, 2000
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-36-30-28
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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