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Solar nebula condensates and the composition of cometsInterpretation of the volatile abundances in Halley's comet in terms of models for chemical and physical processes in the solar nebula are discussed. Key ratios of the oxidized and reduced species of nitrogen and carbon are identified which tell something of the chemical history of the environment in which cometary grains accreted to form the nucleus. Isotopic abundances are also applied to this problem. It will be shown that the abundances of methane and carbon monoxide are consistent both with models of solar nebula chemistry and chemical processing on grains in star-forming regions. Ultimately, limitations of the current data set on molecular abundances in comets and star-forming regions prevent a definitive choice between the two. Processes important to the composition of outer solar system bodies are: (1) gas phase chemistry in the solar nebula; (2) imperfect mixing in the solar nebula; (3) condensation; (4) clathration; (5) adsorption; and (6) processing of interstellar material.
Document ID
19900007318
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lunine, J. I. (Arizona Univ. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on Analysis of Returned Comet Nucleus Samples
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
90N16634
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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