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THE FLUORESCENCE EFFICIENCIES OF THE CN VIOLET BANDS IN COMETS

Journal Article · · Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online)
We have carried out calculations of the fluorescent equilibrium of the CN molecule in the solar radiation field as a function of heliocentric radial velocity and distance. The detailed rotational line intensities of the CN violet 0-0 band have been recalculated for radial velocities between -60 and +60 km s{sup -1} and at 10 distances in steps of {radical}2 from 0.25 to 5.7 AU. Comparisons with observed CN violet 0-0 band profiles yield reasonable agreement and remaining discrepancies are well understood. Based on the derived equilibrium rotational level populations of the ground state, 1-1 band rotational line intensities were also calculated. Total band fluorescence efficiencies for the violet {Delta}{nu} = 0 sequence are tabulated for the above range of distances and velocities, permitting the interpolation to any given comet's observational circumstances. These fluorescence efficiencies, L/N, or 'g-factors', needed to reduce CN emission band fluxes to CN abundances, are also accessible via a Web-based service. The values at any heliocentric distance vary by about a factor of two with varying velocities, but the specific structure of this variation with velocity changes dramatically with distance.
OSTI ID:
21443225
Journal Information:
Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online) Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 140; ISSN 1538-3881
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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