Abstract
We report results obtained by the near-ultraviolet and visible channel (V) of the TKS instrument1 carried by Vega 2 during the hour preceding its closest approach to comet Halley. The brightness of the OH (0, 0) band is found to be 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 MR (megarayleigh; 1 R = 106 photons cm−2 s−1 (4π sr)−1) at distances of 4,900, 2,450 and <1,000 km from the nucleus. The OH gas production rate is estimated to have been ∼9×1029 molecules s−1 on 9 March 1986. Modifications in the structure of the OH and CN bands observed as the distance from the line of sight to the nucleus decreases probably reflect the change in the vibration–rotation line intensity distribution of the radicals, due to the presence of radicals created in an excited state by the photolysis of their parent molecules.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
