OH fluorescence in comets: fluorescence efficiency of the ultraviolet bands

Journal Article · Thu Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160133· OSTI ID:6575761

Schleicher, D G; A'Hearn, M F

We have carried out calculations of the fluorescence equilibrium of OH in the solar radiation field as a function of heliocentric radial velocity. Comparison of detailed band profiles with observed, high-resolution spectra of Comet Bradfield (1979 X) and Comet Seargent (1978 XV) shows very good agreement. The fluorescence efficiency for the 0--0 band (A/sup 2/..sigma../sup +/--X/sup 2/Pi) varies by a factor of 7 for radial velocities between -60 and +60 km s/sup -1/ and a heliocentric distance of 1.0 AU; the variation is less extreme for distance of 0.25 AU. Relative intensities of the 1--0 and 1--1 bands also vary with velocity. The relative population inversion of the upper and lower levels of the X/sup 2/Pi/sub 3/2/ ground state is also calculated for this same set of distances and velocities and, for certain velocities, is found to vary strongly with heliocentric distance.

• Research Organization: Astronomy Program, University of Maryland
• OSTI ID: 6575761
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 258:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMETS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITED STATES
FLUORESCENCE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
LUMINESCENCE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIAL VELOCITY
RADIATIONS
ROTATIONAL STATES
SOLAR RADIATION
SPECTRA
STELLAR RADIATION
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
VELOCITY
VIBRATIONAL STATES