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. (2008). Distributed Sources in Comets. In: Balsiger, H., Altwegg, K., Huebner, W., Owen, T., Schulz, R. (eds) Origin and Early Evolution of Comet Nuclei. Space Sciences Series of ISSI, vol 28. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-85455-7_11
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