Spectroscopic observations of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during its 1996 apparition
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spectroscopic observations comets↗
Engineering topics
Fink, U.
Publications and source records attributed to Fink, U..
Design concept for an IR mapping spectrometer for the Pluto fast flyby mission
The design of an IR mapping spectrometer that exceeds all the criteria of the Pluto Fast Flyby Mission will be presented. The instrument has a mass of approximately 1700 g and uses less than 4 W of power. The design concept is based on an f/3 spectrograph using an aberration-corrected concave holographic grating. Up to four spectral regions can be covered simultaneously by dividing the grating into two to four sections, each imaging the entrance slit on a different area of the array. The spectrography will be fed by a lightweight 5 in. f/3 telescope based on SDIO precepts. In order to provide spectroscopic access to the fundamental molecule frequencies, an extended-range NICMOS array to approximately 3.5 microns and an InSb array going to 5.8 microns will be considered.
Fink, U.↗
The structure of Io's corona
A spatial profile of the distribution of sodium in Io's corona has been constructed using measurements obtained during satellite mutual eclipses. The data reveal a fairly symmetric corona whose density falls steeply from the surface out to 6 r(Io) and more slowly outside. An upper limit of 700 km is placed on the exobase altitude, but the observations do not constrain the surface density. Several theoretical models adequately match some traits of the corona, but none satisfies all the observations. No strong upstream/downstream asymmetry of the corona is observed, so it is unlikely that the corona is primarily generated by the impact of corotating ions into the trailing hemisphere.
Schneider, N. M.↗
Gaussian quadrature exponential sum modeling of near infrared methane laboratory spectra obtained at temperatures from 106 to 297 K
Transmission measurements made on near-infrared laboratory methane spectra have previously been fit using a Malkmus band model. The laboratory spectra were obtained in three groups at temperatures averaging 112, 188, and 295 K; band model fitting was done separately for each temperature group. These band model parameters cannot be used directly in scattering atmosphere model computations, so an exponential sum model is being developed which includes pressure and temperature fitting parameters. The goal is to obtain model parameters by least square fits at 10/cm intervals from 3800 to 9100/cm. These results will be useful in the interpretation of current planetary spectra and also NIMS spectra of Jupiter anticipated from the Galileo mission.
Giver, Lawrence P.↗
Color maps of Arp 146
Four color maps of Arp 146 are given. The structure and color of the ring galaxy and its companion show evidence of a bridge of material between the companion and the remnant nucleus of the original galaxy now forming the ring. Broad band spatial coverage clearly defines regions of starburst occurrence.
Schultz, A. B.↗
Reduction and analysis of photometric data on Comet Halley
The discovery that periodic variations in the brightness of Comet Halley were characterized by two unrelated frequencies implies that the nucleus is in a complex state of rotation. It either nutates as a result of the random addition of small torque perturbations accumulated over many perihelion passages, or the jet activity torques are so strong that it precesses wildly at each perihelion passage. To diagnose the state of nuclear rotation, researchers began a program to acquire photometric time series of the comet as it recedes from the sun. The intention is to observe the decay of the comet's atmosphere and then, when it is unemcumbered by the light of the coma, follow the light variation of the nucleus itself. The latter will be compared with preperihelion time series and the orientation of the nucleus at the time of Vega and Giotto flybys and an accurate rotational ephemeris constructed. Halley was observed on 38 nights during 1987 and approximately 21 nights in 1988. The comet moved from 5 AU to 8.5 AU during this time. The brightness of the coma was found to rapidly decrease in 1988 as the coma and cometary activity collapses. The magnitude in April 1988 was 19 mag (visual) and it is predicted that the nucleus itself will be the major contributor to the brightness in the 1988 and 1989 season.
Belton, Michael J. S.↗
Planetary spectroscopy
Infrared spectroscopic studies of the solar system in support of spacecraft investigations were researched. The studies include the physical behavior of comets, the atmospheres of the gaseous planets, and the solid surfaces of satellites and asteroids. Studies of the gaseous and solid emanations of comets using the techniques of CCD spectroscopy and imaging were focused on. An intensive observational effort was mounted, to observe comet Halley with the recently developed state of the art CCD camera system. Comet P/Giacobini-Zinner was observed. The major emphasis was placed on spectroscopy and a synoptic spectrum at least once a month was obtained. A large number of images of Halley for particular emission species and continuum regions were also obtained. The species in vestigated were: C3 (4060 A), CO+ (4505), C2 (5139), NH2 (5980), H2O+ (6185), OI (6300) and CN (9180).
Fink, U.↗
The infrared spectrum of M8 E - Evidence for circumstellar CO
High-resolution spectroscopic observations of the compact infrared source M8 E are reported in the region from 3 to 5 microns. Very prominent CO absorption lines are observed in the v = 1-0 band at 4.7 microns. The velocity width and rotational temperature suggest that this CO absorption occurs in a highly excited region. The high background continuum flux level and the prominent appearance of the CO features suggest that the CO line-forming region must be in front of the dust emission region. A blister model for M8 E, which places most of the dust continuum emission behind the source, satisfies this requirement. According to this picture, the observed circumstellar CO spectrum shows a high rotational temperature and a large velocity dispersion because of the combined effects of the strong stellar wind and possible shock heating near the dust zone as the wind encounters the ambient molecular cloud.
Larson, H. P.↗
Design study of an entry probe spectro-reflectometer
A wind tunnel was built to simulate the rapid movement of an entry probe through the Jupiter atmosphere. Wind speeds range from 1 to 50 meters per second in a closed system. Wind velocity and temperature probes as well as a cryogenically cooled cold finger can be placed in the 6 inch diameter viewing section. The initial testing of the wind tunnel involved running sectional profiles through the observation port of air currents of 0.1 to 3.0 atmosphere. The velocity profile was very uniform throughout the cross section of the experimental port, with the exception of the wall effects. The deposition of cooled volatiles using the wind tunnel was not performed. However, measurements of the deposition of H2O ice on a cryogenically cooled thickness modulator were made under ambient conditions, namely room temperature and pressure. In the Frost Depositon Test Facility, ice deposition was measured at thicknesses of about a half millimeter and frost was produced whose thickness reflectivity could easily be measured by reflectance spectroscopy.
Sill, G. T.↗
The 4 micron spectra of compact infrared sources
High resolution 5 arcsec spectra in the 4 micron region are presented of the central 5 arcsec of the compact near infrared sources K3-50, W51-IRS2 East, and G333.6-0.2. From measured Br-alpha/Pf-beta line ratios and previously published infrared and radio maps, it is concluded that standard recombination theory fails to explain our observations in at least two cases. It is demonstrated that the data are consistent with thermal excitation of the hydrogen lines in strong stellar winds. The Pf-beta Hu-epsilon line ratio, which is completely insensitive to differential extinction, confirms the need for the stellar wind model for the core of G333.6-0.2. From the (K III) line it is estimated that the potassium abundance in G333.6-0.2 is at least equal to the solar value, and possibly enhanced by a factor up to 10.
Hofmann, R.↗
Interstellar absorption features toward the compact infrared source W33A
A high-resolution (lambda/Delta lambda of approximately 2000) broad-bandwidth (3.3-5.0 microns) spectrum of the compact infrared source W33A is presented. Four absorption features are associated with compositionally distinct components in the interstellar medium: solid-phase C3, CN, or CH3OH at 4.9 microns, solid-phase CO and either solid or gaseous CH3NC near 4.6 microns and the well-known dirty ice feature near 3 microns. The analysis of this spectrum supports chemically complex models of grain mantle evolution in cold, quiescent molecular clouds.
Larson, H. P.↗
CCD observations of comet Tuttle 1980 XIII - The H2O(+) ionosphere
A CCD spectrum of comet Tuttle 1980h has been analyzed with emphasis on the emission of H2O(+) ions. The fine angular resolution (1.5 arcsec) and the capability of absolute brightness calibration of the CCD instrument made it possible to determine the spatial concentration of the H2O(+) ions of this faint comet and the total number of these ions confined within a spherical region. Solar photoionization of the H2O atmosphere can account for the production of the H2O(+) ions observed in the confined region. The dimension of the H2O(+) ionosphere at the time of observation was found to be comparatively small, implying the possible existence of an ionopause sharply delineating the extension of the cometary ionosphere.
Ip, W.-H.↗
Measurements of H2O in Jupiter's Atmosphere from 5 Microns Airborne Observations
Measurement of the abundance and vertical distribution of H2O in Jupiter's atmosphere is discussed. Water was first detected using the Kuiper airborne observatory (KAO) and has also been observed at 5 micrometers by the Voyager infrared spectrometer, IRIS. Studies of H2O in the atmospheres of other planets require special high altitude facilities to reduce the interference of telluric H2O. Jovian H2O absorption lines are overwhelmed by terrestrial H2O at ground-based observatories but they are readily apparent in airborne spectra. Typical column abundances of H2O above ground-based telescopes are about 3000 precipitable micrometers versus only 10 pr micrometers above the KAO at the 12.5 km level. For comparison, there is about 150 pr micrometers H2O above the 3 bar level on Jupiter. Airborne observations also take advantage of cryogenic detectors which have not been used thus far on deep space probes.
Bjoraker, G. L.↗
Charge coupled device (CCD) spectroscopy of comets - Tuttle, Stephan-Oterma, Brooks 2, and Bowell
CCD technology allows the acquisition of high quality spectra from faint comets that provide simultaneous spatial and spectral resolution. Most emissions in the spectra thus obtained are due to CN and NH2. The most interesting results for the continuum were displayed at comet Bowell, whose coma is a factor of 10 more extended than the other comets studied. Calculated production rates are presented for NH2 and CN in the cases of the comet Tuttle and Stephan-Oterma, and first-order comparisons are conducted for measured production rates and those of the H2O molecule, which should be the dominant one in comet activity.
Johnson, J. R.↗
Luminosity and spatial distribution of the forbidden O I 6300-A emission in comets
The Tuttle, Stephan-Oterna, and Brooks 2 comets have been subjected to CCD observations of the 6300 and 6364 A forbidden oxygen lines, in order to determine the spatial profiles and absolute luminosities of the cometary forbidden O I lines. Analysis indicates the source of the observed O I photons to be direct photodissociation of water vapor. O 1D production by dissociation of OH becomes dominant at larger distances from the nucleus, and the water vapor production rates derived from O I emissions are found to be in good agreement with those determined from forbidden line OH by the IUE spacecraft, as well as ground-based photometry. It is demonstrated that analysis of cometary O 1D emission allows the determination of the spatial distribution of the parent molecule water vapor.
Fink, U.↗
The 0.9-2.5 micron spectrum of Comet West 1976 VI
Analyses of IR data of Comet West in the region 0.9-2.5 microns are presented. The spectra were observed with a resolution of 4.6/cm, and the solar-type star Eta Boo was also observed for comparison purposes. The cometary continuum was found to increase slightly from 10,000-5500/cm, and display thermal emission above 5500/cm due to dust particles in the coma. The cometary emissions were identified with CN and C2, with the C2 transitions displaying unblended singlet and triplet systems. It is noted that no emissions or absorptions due to ice of any form were detected.
Johnson, J. R.↗
The NH3 spectrum in Saturn's 5 micron window
Spectra of Saturn's 5-micron window were obtained at the Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The spectra have a resolution of 1.2/cm, and some exhibit extremely low amounts of approximately 300-micron ppt telluric H2O. The Saturn spectra show absorptions by the 2nu2 band of NH3. Long-path laboratory comparison spectra of NH3 were acquired and show considerable deviations in intensity from theoretical predictions. The calibration of Saturn's observed NH3 features with the laboratory data gives 2.0 + or - 0.5 m-amagat of NH3 using the 2nu2 Q-branch at 5.32 microns. The R(1) and R(2) lines yield an abundance about 3 times greater. Absorptions outside the range of the Q-branch can be accounted for by solid NH3 of 10-20 microns equivalent path length. The origin of Saturn's 5-micron flux is mostly thermal with some admixture of solar reflected radiation. A depletion of Saturn's NH3 abundance below the solar value is indicated, but confirmation of this conclusion will require a better understanding of the atmospheric penetration depth at 5 microns and more rigorous modeling of the spectral line formation.
Bjoraker, G. L.↗
Intensity and extinction irregularities in the H2 emission from Orion
Fourteen lines of the v = 1-0 and v = 2-1 2 micron H2 quadrupole spectrum were measured in a series of ground-based spectroscopic observations of four locations within the Orion molecular cloud-H2 emission complex. Beam sizes of 7 and 10 arcsec were used, with a resolution of 1.8/cm. The results indicate that there are differences in the extinction between regions of as much as 20 mag. In particular there appears to be a ridge of material near the object IRS 2 (= IRc 9), a previously suggested source of activity. The 2-1 S (3) line intensity is substantially stronger at Peak 2 than the present models predict, and this observation is the first indication that there may be a non-Boltzmann distribution within the vibrational levels of shock-excited H2. A detection of the 1-0 Q (6) line is also reported, a feature which was previously absent in spectra of the Orion cloud.
Smith, H. A.↗