Fluorescence of cometary OH

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166622· OSTI ID:6673622

Schleicher, D G; A'hearn, M F

A new solar spectral atlas, improved oscillator strengths, and additional transitions have been incorporated in calculations of the fluorescent equilibrium of the OH molecule in comets as a function of heliocentric distance and radial velocity. Comparisons of detailed, ultraviolet band profiles have been made with the observed, high-resolution spectra of eight comets. While a purely fluorescent equilibrium calculation is sufficient to reproduce the major variations seen in the band structure from one comet to another, some collisional quenching of the inversion of the X2II3/2 Lambda-doublet ground state is required to match the detailed features. The relative population inversion of the upper and lower levels of the ground state is also calculated as a function of both distance and velocity, with the results being consistent with 18 cm radio observations. Predictions of the infrared OH vibrational bands are made; the 1-0 band should be observable if a sufficiently high spectral resolution is employed. 60 references.

• Research Organization: Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ (USA); Maryland Univ., College Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6673622
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 331; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ATOM COLLISIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLISIONS
COMETS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISSOCIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUORESCENCE
HYDROXYL RADICALS
LUMINESCENCE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
RADIAL VELOCITY
RADIATIONS
RADICALS
RELICT RADIATION
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
VELOCITY