Detection of Co and ethane in comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner: Evidence for variable chemistry in the outer solar nebula

M. J. Mumma, M. A. DiSanti, N. Dello Russo, K. Magee-Sauer, T. W. Rettig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ethane and carbon monoxide were detected in a short-period comet of probable Kuiper Belt origin. Ethane is substantially less abundant compared with Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp, two comets from the giant-planet region of the solar nebula, suggesting a heliocentric gradient in ethane in precometary ices. It is argued that processing by X-rays from the young Sun may be responsible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L155-L159
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume531
Issue number2 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 10 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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