Spatially resolved quantitative spectroscopy of comets

Abstract

Because of their temporal and spatial variations, modern ground-based studies of comets within approximately 4 A.U. of the sun are observationally demanding tasks. Over the years, researchers have attempted resolved spectroscopy of comets covering a wide range of intrinsic luminosity. Recently this group has developed spectral and direct-imaging procedures to detect weak ion tails submerged into the comae of even fairly faint comets. Although the last year was devoid of any really bright comet, re-analysis of older dust and gas production data of the 1986 P/Halley apparition has been almost completed. The main changes are that the nucleus does make a significant contribution to continuum light, and that the gravity effect in the dust escape velocity is somewhat larger than previously assumed. On the direct observational side, spectral studies of the 1987's Comet Bradfield show it to be qualitatively carbon-rich, at least in the outer coma ratio of CO(+) and CO2(+), compared the H2O(+) with respect to Halley at similar heliocentric distances.