Ultraviolet spectroscopy of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 with Alice/Rosetta during the Deep Impact encounter

Abstract

We report on spectroscopic observations of periodic Comet 9P/Tempel 1 by the Alice ultraviolet spectrograph on the Rosetta spacecraft in conjunction with NASA's Deep Impact mission. Our objectives were to measure an increase in atomic and molecular emissions produced by the excavation of volatile sub-surface material. We unambiguously detected atomic oxygen emission from the quiescent coma but no enhancement at the 10% (1- σ) level following the impact. We derive a quiescent H 2O production rate of 9 × 10 27 molecules s −1 with an estimated uncertainty of ∼30%. Our upper limits to the volatiles produced by the impact are consistent with other estimates.