First in situ detection of the cometary ammonium ion NH4+ (protonated ammonia NH3) in the coma of 67P/C-G near perihelion
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
In this paper, we report the first in situ detection of the ammonium ion NH
+4
4+
at 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P/C-G) in a cometary coma, using the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA)/Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer (DFMS). Unlike neutral and ion spectrometers onboard previous cometary missions, the ROSINA/DFMS spectrometer, when operated in ion mode, offers the capability to distinguish NH
+4
4+
from H2O+ in a cometary coma. We present here the ion data analysis of mass-to-charge ratios 18 and 19 at high spectral resolution and compare the results with an ionospheric model to put these results into context. The model confirms that the ammonium ion NH
+4
4+
is one of the most abundant ion species, as predicted, in the coma near perihelion.
+4
4+
at 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P/C-G) in a cometary coma, using the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA)/Double Focusing Mass Spectrometer (DFMS). Unlike neutral and ion spectrometers onboard previous cometary missions, the ROSINA/DFMS spectrometer, when operated in ion mode, offers the capability to distinguish NH
+4
4+
from H2O+ in a cometary coma. We present here the ion data analysis of mass-to-charge ratios 18 and 19 at high spectral resolution and compare the results with an ionospheric model to put these results into context. The model confirms that the ammonium ion NH
+4
4+
is one of the most abundant ion species, as predicted, in the coma near perihelion.
Date Issued
2017-01-07
Date Acceptance
2016-12-23
Citation
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2017, 462, pp.S562-S572
ISSN
0035-8711
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Start Page
S562
End Page
S572
Journal / Book Title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume
462
Copyright Statement
© 2017 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sponsor
Imperial College Trust
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council [2006-2012]
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Grant Number
N/A
ST/K001051/1
ST/K001051/1
ST/N000692/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
astrochemistry
plasmas
methods: data analysis
Sun: UV radiation
comets: individual: 67P
103P/HARTLEY 2
VOLATILE COMPOSITION
MASS-SPECTROMETER
PRODUCTION-RATES
2010 APPARITION
67P/CHURYUMOV-GERASIMENKO
HALLEY
CHEMISTRY
P/HALLEY
ROSINA/DFMS
Publication Status
Published