[en] Observations of comet C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS) have revealed exceptionally bright emission bands of N2+, the strongest ever observed in a comet spectrum. Alternatively, it appears to be poor in CN compared to other comets, and remarkably depleted in H2O. Here, we quantify the N2 production rate from N2+ emission lines using the Haser model. We derived effective parent and daughter scale lengths for N2 producing N2+. This is the first direct measurement of such parameters. Using a revised fluorescence efficiency for N2+, the resulting production rate of molecular nitrogen is inferred to be Q(N2) ~ 1 × 10E28 molecules s-1 on average for 2018 February 11, 12, and 13, the highest for any known comet. Based on a CO production rate of Q(CO) ~ 1.1 × 10E29 molecules s-1, we find Q(N2)/Q(CO) ~ 0.09, which is consistent with the N2+/CO+ ratio derived from the observed intensities of N2+ and CO+ emission lines. We also measure significant variations in this production rate between our three observing nights, with Q(N2) varying by plus or minus 20 per cent according to the average value.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Anderson, S. E.; Universe, Time-Frequency, Interfaces, Nanostructures, Atmosphere and Environment, Molecules, Besancon
Jehin, Emmanuel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Origines Cosmologiques et Astrophysiques (OrCa)
Hutsemekers, Damien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR)
Manfroid, Jean ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO)
Language :
English
Title :
The N2 production rate in comet C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS)
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