Abstract
Carbon isotope ratios have been measured for CN in the coma of comet Halley and for several CHON particles emitted by Halley. Of these, only the CHON-particle data may be reasonably related to organic matter in the cometary nucleus, but the true range of 13C/12C values in those particles is quite uncertain. The D/H ratio in H2O in the Halley coma resembles that in Titan/Uranus. The next decade should substantially improve our understanding of the distribution of C, H, N, and O isotopes in cometary organics. The isotopic composition of meteoritic organic matter is better understood and can serve as a useful analog for the cometary case.
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Kerridge, J.F. Isotopic analysis of cometary organic matter. Space Sci Rev 56, 177–184 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178407
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178407