Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On the CN (0, 0) spectrum of Comet Mrkos 1957d

  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We have carried out an analysis of the (0, 0) vibrational band of the CN molecule in Comet Mrkos 1957d, including the effect of collisions. We found that the sum of the squares of the residuals can be reduced by a factor of ten, if collisions account for 46±3% of the population of the lower level. A rotational temperature can be assigned to the cometary gas. The best value found was 410±40 K. The best fit for the constantR 1 was (1.07±0.10)×10−4. The velocity of the comet was left as a free parameter. We found for it a value of 34.38±0.10 km s−1. This result is in disagreement with the nuclear orbital velocity of 34.74 km s−1. The discrepancy can be explained, if the CN molecules are ejected from the cometary nucleus preferentially in the sunward direction, with a mean velocity that corresponds to the above temperature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arpigny, C.: 1964, ‘Detailed Study of the CN Violet (0, 0) Band in Cometary Spectra’,Ann. Astrophys 27, 393–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beckers, J., Bridges, C., and Gilliam, L.: 1976, ‘A High Resolution Spectral Atlas of the Solar Irradiance from 380 to 700 nanometers’, Sac. Peak Observ., Report No. AFGL-TR-76-0126(I).

  • Greenstein, J. L.: 1958, ‘High Resolution Spectra of Comet Mrkos 1957’,Astrophys. J. 126, 106–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzberg, G.: 1950,Molecular Spectra and Molecular Structure, Van Nostrand, New York, pp. 106, and 125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunaerts, J.: 1959, ‘La vie moyenne des états de rotation de l'état fondamental de la molécule CN’,Ann. Astrophys. 22, 812–819.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malaise, D.: 1970, ‘Collision Effects of Cometary Atmospheres’,Astron. Astrophys. 5, 209–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swings, P.: 1941, ‘Complex Structure of the Cometary Bands, Tentatively Ascribed to the Contour of the Solar Spectrum’,Lick Observ. Bull., No. 508,19, 131–136.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela

    Ignacio R. Ferrín

Authors
  1. Ignacio R. Ferrín
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferrín, I.R. On the CN (0, 0) spectrum of Comet Mrkos 1957d. Astrophys Space Sci 52, 11–16 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00647154

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00647154

Keywords

Search

Navigation