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PubMed · 9809016

Chemistry in cometary comae.

W M Irvine·J E Dickens·A J Lovell·F P Schloerb·M Senay·E A Bergin·D Jewitt·H E Matthews
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Abstract

Significant gas-phase chemistry occurs in the comae of bright comets, as is demonstrated here for the case of Comet Hale-Bopp. The abundance ratio of the two isomers, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen isocyanide, is shown to vary with heliocentric distance in a way that is consistent with production of HNC by ion-molecule chemistry initiated by the photoionization of water. Likewise, the first maps of emission from HCO+ show an abundance and an extended distribution that are consistent with the same chemical model.

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Astronomical PhenomenaAstronomyChemical PhenomenaChemistry, PhysicalCyanatesGasesHydrogen CyanideMeteoroidsNASA Discipline ExobiologyNon-NASA CenterJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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W M Irvine, J E Dickens, A J Lovell, F P Schloerb, M Senay, E A Bergin, D Jewitt, H E Matthews. 1998. Chemistry in cometary comae.. https://doi.org/10.1039/a709289j

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