Far-ultraviolet observations of comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) with FIMS/SPEAR
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701 (Korea, Republic of)
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 (United States)
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), 776 Daedeokdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-348 (Korea, Republic of)
We present the results of far-ultraviolet observations of comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) that were made with the Far-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph on board the Korean satellite STSAT-1. The observations were conducted in two campaigns during its perihelion approach between 2004 May 8 and 15. Based on the scanning mode observations in the wavelength band of 1400-1700 Å, we have constructed an image of the comet with an angular size of 5°×5°, which corresponds to the central coma region. Several important fluorescence emission lines were detected including S I multiplets at 1429 and 1479 Å, C I multiplets at 1561 and 1657 Å, and the CO A{sup 1}Π-X{sup 1}Σ{sup +} Fourth Positive system; we have estimated the production rates of the corresponding species from the fluxes of these emission lines. The estimated production rate of CO was Q {sub CO} = (2.65 ± 0.63) × 10{sup 28} s{sup –1}, which is 6.2%-7.4% of the water production rate and is consistent with earlier predictions. The average carbon production rate was estimated to be Q{sub C} = ∼1.59 × 10{sup 28} s{sup –1}, which is ∼60% of the CO production rate. However, the observed carbon profile was steeper than that predicted using the two-component Haser model in the inner coma region, while it was consistent with the model in the outer region. The average sulfur production rate was Q{sub S} = (4.03±1.03) × 10{sup 27} s{sup –1}, which corresponds to ∼1% of the water production rate.
- OSTI ID:
- 22348131
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 781, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
GALEX FUV OBSERVATIONS OF COMET C/2004 Q2 (MACHHOLZ): THE IONIZATION LIFETIME OF CARBON
Carbon and oxygen production rates for Comet Kohoutek (1973 XII)