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Isotopic composition of CO2 in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured with ROSINA/DFMS

dc.contributor.authorHässig, M.
dc.contributor.authorAltwegg, K.
dc.contributor.authorBalsiger, H.
dc.contributor.authorBerthelier, J.J.
dc.contributor.authorBieler, A.
dc.contributor.authorCalmonte, U.
dc.contributor.authorDhooghe, F.
dc.contributor.authorFiethe, B.
dc.contributor.authorFuselier, S.A.
dc.contributor.authorGasc, S.
dc.contributor.authorGombosi, T.I.
dc.contributor.authorLe Roy, L.
dc.contributor.authorLuspay-Kuti, A.
dc.contributor.authorMandt, K.
dc.contributor.authorRubin, M.
dc.contributor.authorTzou, C.-Y.
dc.contributor.authorWampfler, S.F.
dc.contributor.authorWurz, P.
dc.date2017
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-24T13:18:16Z
dc.date.available2017-11-24T13:18:16Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/6321
dc.descriptionContext. Measurements of isotopic abundances in cometary ices are key to understanding and reconstructing the history and origin of material in the solar system. Comets are considered the most pristine material in the solar system. Isotopic fractionation (enrichment of an isotope in a molecule compared to the initial abundance) is sensitive to environmental conditions at the time of comet formation. Therefore, measurements of cometary isotope ratios can provide information on the composition, density, temperature, and radiation during formation of the molecules, during the chemical evolution from the presolar cloud to the protosolar nebula, and the protoplanetary disk before accretion in solid bodies. Most isotopic abundances of 12C/13C and 16O/18O in comets to date are in agreement with terrestrial abundances. Prior to the Rosetta mission, measurements of 12C/13C in comets were only available for HCN, CN, and C2 and for 16O/18O in H2O. Measurements of 12C/13C in comets were only available from ground based observations and remote sensing, while 16O/18O in H2O had also been measured in-situ. To date, no measurements of the CO2 isotopologues in comets were available. Aims. This paper presents the first measurements of the CO2 isotopologues in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P). Methods. We analyzed measurements taken by the Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer (DFMS) of the ROSINA experiment on board the ESA spacecraft Rosetta in the coma of 67P. Results. The CO2 isotopologues results for 67P are: 12C/13C = 84 ± 4, 16O/18O = 494 ± 8, and 13C16O2/12C18O16O = 5.87 ± 0.07. The oxygen isotopic ratio is within error bars compatible with terrestrial abundances but not with solar wind measurements. Conclusions. The carbon isotopic ratio and the combined carbon and oxygen isotopic ratio are slightly (14%) enriched in 13C, within 1σ uncertainty, compared to solar wind abundances and solar abundances. The small fractionation of 12C/13C in CO2 is probably compatible with an origin of the material in comets from the native cloud.
dc.languageeng
dc.titleIsotopic composition of CO2 in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured with ROSINA/DFMS
dc.typeArticle
dc.subject.frascatiPhysical sciences
dc.audienceScientific
dc.subject.freeCarbon dioxide
dc.subject.freeMolecules
dc.subject.freeRemote sensing
dc.subject.freeSolar system
dc.subject.freeSolar wind
dc.subject.freeSpace flight
dc.subject.freeAstrochemistry
dc.subject.freeComets: general
dc.subject.freeComets:individual
dc.subject.freeKuiper belt objects
dc.subject.freeMethods:data analysis
dc.subject.freeIsotopes
dc.source.titleAstronomy and Astrophysics
dc.source.volume605
dc.source.pageA50
Orfeo.peerreviewedYes
dc.identifier.doi10.1051/0004-6361/201630140
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-85029145553


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