AAPT Abstract Archive
Menu  

Abstract Information

 
spacer
  Session: Frontiers of Space Science & Human Space Flight
  Paper Type: Invited
  Title: Spectroscopic Mapping of Comets at Radio Frequencies
  Meeting: 2017 Winter Meeting: Atlanta, Georgia
  Location: N/A
  Date:
  Time: 10:00AM
  Author: Amy J. Lovell,, Agnes Scott College,
4044716265, alovell@agnesscott.edu
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: Sublimation of ice from comets can reveal clues to the interior of the comet, provide insights on the formation of our solar system, and reveal interesting dynamical processes in a rarefied atmosphere. Water is the primary volatile in comet nuclear ices, but may be difficult to observe through Earth's atmosphere. As an immediate product of water molecule breakup, OH is easily observed at radio wavelengths and can be used to trace other gas phenomena in comets. We will review gas production rates, outflow velocities, and other physical processes as revealed by a 15-year survey of 18-cm OH spectra from dozens of comets, and the unique elements of computational modelling for data analysis.
  Footnotes: None
  Presentation: Lovell_AAPT17.ppt

2003 © American Association of Physics Teachers
Have questions about this site? Email the webmaster.
AAPT Home AAPT Abstract Archive Past Meeting Info