In:
Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Vol. 354, No. 6319 ( 2016-12-23), p. 1563-1566
Abstract:
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is one of the most abundant species in cometary nuclei, but because of its high volatility, CO 2 ice is generally only found beneath the surface. We report the infrared spectroscopic identification of a CO 2 ice–rich surface area located in the Anhur region of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Spectral modeling shows that about 0.1% of the 80- by 60-meter area is CO 2 ice. This exposed ice was observed a short time after the comet exited local winter; following the increased illumination, the CO 2 ice completely disappeared over about 3 weeks. We estimate the mass of the sublimated CO 2 ice and the depth of the eroded surface layer. We interpret the presence of CO 2 ice as the result of the extreme seasonal changes induced by the rotation and orbit of the comet.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0036-8075
,
1095-9203
DOI:
10.1126/science.aag3161
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date:
2016
detail.hit.zdb_id:
128410-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2066996-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2060783-0
SSG:
11
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