Abstract
The chemical composition of the ice and grains in a cometary nucleus is discussed by applying the condensation theory. The equilibrium condensation theory of a gas having the elemental abundances in the solar system is briefly reviewed. The composition of solids predicted by the equilibrium condensation theory is compared with that of the ice and grains in the nucleus; the latter is inferred from the observations of cometary molecules and grains. On the basis of the results of this comparison, a scenario for the formation history of comets is proposed, and discussion is given on the temperature and region of the primordial solar nebula where comets formed.
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