Isotopic abundance of nitrogen and carbon in distant comets
Open Access
- 22 February 2005
- journal article
- letter
- Published by EDP Sciences in Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Vol. 432 (1) , L5-L8
- https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:200500009
Abstract
The 12C14N/12C15N and 12C14N/13C14N isotopic ratios have been determined in comets C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) and C/2003 K4 (LINEAR) at heliocentric distances of, respectively, 2.7, 3.7 and 2.6 AU. These ratios have also been measured at AU. No significant differences were found between all determinations, nor with the value obtained for other comets. If confirmed, the discrepancy between the nitrogen isotopic ratios from optical and millimeter measurements on CN and HCN would rule out HCN as a major parent of the cometary CN radicals.Keywords
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