[en] A procedure to compute cometary spectra taking into account radiative processes and collisional effects is described. The populations of the rotational levels are determined by solving the statistical equilibrium equations at a certain number of locations within the coma (which can be modelled with n(R), T(R), v(R) laws) and the emerging intensity is then evaluated by integrating the emissions along the line of sight. Such a program was applied to the CH radical. The importance of collisions in exciting the lower rotational levels of CH is confirmed.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Arpigny, Claude ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO)
Zeippen, C. J.
Klutz, M.
Magain, Pierre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astrophysique et traitement de l'image
Hutsemekers, Damien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)