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Water Ice on Comets and Satellites

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Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Research

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 236))

Abstract

This brief overview will cover some recent work on solar system ices. The focus is on the origin, physical properties, composition, and radiation-induced chemistry of ices dominated by water, with an emphasis on comets and water-rich ices on satellites such as Europa. Understanding the physical characteristics and chemistry of these ices is important for explaining observations such as the albedo and sublimation of ice from planetesimals and comets, the formation of molecules that may have led to life, and planning present and future space missions.

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  1. SETI Institute, Astrophysics Branch NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Mail Stop 245-6, CA, 94035-1000, USA

    M. P. Bernstein

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  1. Leiden Observatory, The Netherlands

    P. Ehrenfreund

  2. Academy of Sciences, Austria

    P. Ehrenfreund

  3. LPGP, Université Paris Sud, France

    C. Krafft

  4. DLR, Cologne, Germany

    H. Kochan

  5. University of Catania, Italy

    V. Pirronello

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Bernstein, M.P. (1999). Water Ice on Comets and Satellites. In: Ehrenfreund, P., Krafft, C., Kochan, H., Pirronello, V. (eds) Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Research. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 236. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4728-6_4

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