Work

A nearly terrestrial D/H for comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Cometary comae are a mixture of gas and ice-covered dust. Processing on the surface and in the coma change the composition of ice on dust grains relative to that of the nucleus. As the ice on dust grains sublimates, the local coma composition changes. Rosetta observations of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko previously reported one of the highest D/H values for a comet. However, reanalysis of more than 4000 water isotope measurements over the full mission shows that dust markedly increases local D/H. The isotope ratio measured at a distance from the nucleus where the gas is well mixed is close to terrestrial, like that of other Jupiter family comets. This lower D/H has implications for understanding comet formation and the role of comets in delivering water to Earth.

Source: Science Advances

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp2191

Authors: Kathleen E. Mandt, Jacob Lustig-Yaeger, Adrienn Luspay-Kuti, Peter Wurz, Dennis Bodewits, Stephen A. Fuselier, Olivier Mousis, Steven M. Petrinec, Karlheinz J. Trattner

Institutions: Goddard Space Flight Center, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Bern, Auburn University, Southwest Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, University of Colorado Boulder

Language: English

Topic: Astro and Planetary Science

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

OpenAlex ID: W4404307183

FWCI: 3.627

Cites: 82

Cited by: 19

Related to: 10