Evidence for Chain Molecules Enriched in Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in Comet Halley

• DOI: 10.1126/science.237.4815.626
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T20:28:58Z
• Authors: D. L. Mitchell; R. P. Lin; K. A. Anderson; C. W. Carlson; D. W. Curtis; A. Korth; H. Rème; J. A. Sauvaud; C. d'Uston; D. A. Mendis
• Keywords: Halley's Comet; Carbon fibers; Mass distribution

In situ measurements of the composition and spatial distribution heavy thermal positive ions in coma comet Halley were made with heavy-ion analyzer RPA2-PICCA aboard Giotto spacecraft. Above 50 atomic mass units an ordered series peaks centered at 61, 75, 91, 105 observed. Each peak appears to be composed three or more closely spaced masses. The abundances decrease dissociation rates increase smoothly increasing mass. These observations suggest presence chain molecules that are enriched carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, such as polyoxymethylene (polymerized formaldehyde), Halley.