Abstract
The distribution of some molecules and radicals (H2CO, CO, HNC, CN, …) in the atmosphere of several comets cannot be explained only by a direct sublimation from the nucleus, or by gas phase processes in the coma. Such molecules are in part the result of a distributed source in the coma, which could be the photo and thermal degradation of dust. We present a review of the degradation processes and discuss possible interpretations of the observations in which the degradation of solid complex organic material in dust particles seems to play a major role. The knowledge of such gas production mechanisms provides important clues on the chemical nature of the refractory organic material contained in comet nuclei.
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Cottin, H., Fray, N. Distributed Sources in Comets. Space Sci Rev 138, 179–197 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9399-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9399-z