Show simple item record

Molecular nitrogen in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko indicates a low formation temperature

dc.contributor.authorRubin, M.
dc.contributor.authorAltwegg, K.
dc.contributor.authorBalsiger, H.
dc.contributor.authorBar-Nun, A.
dc.contributor.authorBerthelier, J.-J.
dc.contributor.authorBieler, A.
dc.contributor.authorBochsler, P.
dc.contributor.authorBriois, C.
dc.contributor.authorCalmonte, U.
dc.contributor.authorCombi, M.
dc.contributor.authorDe Keyser, J.
dc.contributor.authorDhooghe, F.
dc.contributor.authorEberhardt, P.
dc.contributor.authorFiethe, B.
dc.contributor.authorFuselier, S.A.
dc.contributor.authorGasc, S.
dc.contributor.authorGombosi, T.I.
dc.contributor.authorHansen, K.C.
dc.contributor.authorHassig, M.
dc.contributor.authorJackel, A.
dc.contributor.authorKopp, E.
dc.contributor.authorKorth, A.
dc.contributor.authorLe Roy, L.
dc.contributor.authorMall, U.
dc.contributor.authorMarty, B.
dc.contributor.authorMousis, O.
dc.contributor.authorOwen, T.
dc.contributor.authorReme, H.
dc.contributor.authorSemon, T.
dc.contributor.authorTzou, C.-Y.
dc.contributor.authorWaite, J.H.
dc.contributor.authorWurz, P.
dc.date2015
dc.date.accessioned2016-03-24T12:08:13Z
dc.date.available2016-03-24T12:08:13Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/2759
dc.descriptionMolecular nitrogen (N2) is thought to have been the most abundant form of nitrogen in the protosolar nebula. It is the main N-bearing molecule in the atmospheres of Pluto and Triton and probably the main nitrogen reservoir from which the giant planets formed. Yet in comets, often considered the most primitive bodies in the solar system, N2 has not been detected. Here we report the direct in situ measurement of N2 in the Jupiter family comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, made by the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis mass spectrometer aboard the Rosetta spacecraft. A N2/CO ratio of Embedded Image (2σ standard deviation of the sampled mean) corresponds to depletion by a factor of ~25.4 ± 8.9 as compared to the protosolar value. This depletion suggests that cometary grains formed at low-temperature conditions below ~30 kelvin.
dc.languageeng
dc.titleMolecular nitrogen in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko indicates a low formation temperature
dc.typeArticle
dc.subject.frascatiChemical sciences
dc.audienceScientific
dc.subject.freecarbon dioxide
dc.subject.freecarbon monoxide
dc.subject.freeice
dc.subject.freenitrogen
dc.subject.freewater
dc.subject.freecomet
dc.subject.freelow temperature
dc.subject.freemass spectrometry
dc.subject.freenitrogen
dc.subject.freePluto
dc.subject.freesolar system
dc.subject.freespacecraft
dc.subject.freeTriton
dc.subject.freeArticle
dc.subject.freeastronomy
dc.subject.freecircadian rhythm
dc.subject.freecomet 67p
dc.subject.freecosmological phenomena
dc.subject.freelatitude
dc.subject.freelow temperature
dc.subject.freemass spectrometer
dc.subject.freemass spectrometry
dc.subject.freepriority journal
dc.subject.freeprotosolar ratio
dc.subject.freerotation
dc.subject.freespace flight
dc.subject.freethermodynamics
dc.subject.freewater vapor
dc.source.titleScience
dc.source.volume348
dc.source.issue6231
dc.source.page232-235
Orfeo.peerreviewedYes
dc.identifier.doi10.1126/science.aaa6100
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-84927630657


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name:
Rubin(2015).pdf
Size:
310.9Kb
Format:
PDF
View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record