Isotopic abundance of nitrogen and carbon in distant comets

The [SUP]12[/SUP]C[SUP]14[/SUP]N/[SUP]12[/SUP]C[SUP]15[/SUP]N and [SUP]12[/SUP]C[SUP]14[/SUP]N/[SUP]13[/SUP]C[SUP]14[/SUP]N 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 rË 1 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. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Paranal, Chile (ESO Programmes 270.C-5043, 073.C-0525 and 274.C-5015).