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Negative ion chemistry in the coma of comet 1P/Halley
Author(s) -
Cordiner M. A.,
Charnley S. B.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/maps.12082
Subject(s) - comet , ion , chemistry , halley's comet , photodissociation , proton , coma (optics) , polyatomic ion , molecule , atomic physics , photochemistry , astrophysics , physics , organic chemistry , nuclear physics
Negative ions (anions) were identified in the coma of comet 1P/Halley during in situ Electron Electrostatic Analyzer measurements performed by the Giotto spacecraft in 1986. These anions were detected with masses in the range 7–110 amu, but with insufficient mass resolution to permit unambiguous identification. We present details of a new chemical‐hydrodynamic model for the coma of comet Halley that includes—for the first time—atomic and molecular anions, in addition to a comprehensive hydrocarbon chemistry. Anion number densities are calculated as a function of radius in the coma, and compared with the Giotto results. Important anion production mechanisms are found to include radiative electron attachment, polar photodissociation, dissociative electron attachment, and proton transfer. The polyyne anions C 4 H − and C 6 H − are found to be likely candidates to explain the Giotto anion mass spectrum in the range 49–73 amu. The CN − anion probably makes a significant contribution to the mass spectrum at 26 amu. Larger carbon‐chain anions such as C 8 H − can explain the peak near 100 amu provided there is a source of large carbon‐chain‐bearing molecules from the cometary nucleus.