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Chemical Theories on the Origin of Comets

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Comets in the Post-Halley Era

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 167))

Abstract

Firstly, observational data available at present to infer physical conditions of the formation environment of cometary matter are briefly surveyed. These include the chemical and isotopic composition of cometary matter, and the nuclear spin temperature derived from the ortho/para abundance ratio of H2O molecules. Secondly, theories on the origin of comets—theories based upon the chemical composition of the volatile component of cometary matter—are reviewed. The theories are classified into two types, distinguished by whether cometary volatiles originate as solar nebula condensates or as the sublimation residue of interstellar ices. Observational items helpful to test the theories are pointed out. Thirdly, discussion is given on the physical properties of ices relevant to the chemical theory of the origin of comets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Yoshinodai 3-1-1, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 229, Japan

    Tetsuo Yamamoto

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  1. Tetsuo Yamamoto
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA

    R. L. Newburn Jr.  & M. Neugebauer  & 

  2. NASA HQ, Washington, DC, USA

    J. Rahe

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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Yamamoto, T. (1991). Chemical Theories on the Origin of Comets. In: Newburn, R.L., Neugebauer, M., Rahe, J. (eds) Comets in the Post-Halley Era. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 167. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3378-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3378-4_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5494-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3378-4

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