On the nature of unidentified cometary emission lines (original) (raw)
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Unidentified Cometary Emission Lines as the Photoluminescence of Frozen Hydrocarbon Particles
—We discuss the possible nature of unidentified cometary emission lines. We propose a model of the ice particles in cometary halos as a mixture of frozen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and acyclic hydrocarbons. We describe the general properties of frozen hydrocarbon particles (FHPs) and suggest interpreting some of the unidentified cometary emission lines as the photoluminescence of FHPs. We compare the positions of unidentified emission lines in the spectrum of Comet 122Р/de Vico with the positions of quasi-lines in the photoluminescence spectrum of PAHs that were dissolved in acyclic hydrocarbons at a temperature of 77 К and that constituted a polycrystalline solution. We estimate the detectability of FHP photoluminescence in cometary spectra. c 2004 MAIK " Nauka/Interperiodica " .
Recent investigations of the luminescence of frozen hydrocarbon particles of icy cometary halos have been carried out. The process of luminescence of organic icy particles in a short-wavelength solar radiation field is considered. A comparative analysis of observed and laboratory data leads to 72 luminescent emission lines in the spectrum of the comet 153P/Ikeya-Zhang. The concept of cometary relict matter is presented, and the creation of a database of unidentified cometary emission lines is proposed.
Organic component of cometary ice
Investigations of the luminescence of frozen hydrocarbon particles of icy cometary halo have been made. The process of luminescence of icy particles in shortwave-length solar radiation field is considered. The comparative analysis of observed and laboratory data leads of 72 lumi-nescent emission lines in the spectrum of 153P/Ikeya-Zhang comet. Several aspects of the problem are discussed.
On the possible luminescence nature of unidentified cometary emissions
New investigations of the photoluminescence of frozen hydrocarbon particles of icy cometary halo have been made. The process of photoluminescence of icy particles in the ultraviolet solar radiation field is considered. The comparative analysis of laboratory and observed data leads to the preliminary identification of some sixty eight photolumines-cent emission features in the spectra of 109P/Swift–Tutle and 23P/Brorsen–Metcalf comets. Formulae are given for the calculation of the efficiency of the photoluminescence of icy organic particles in the cometary halo.
The article describes a mechanism of the possible thermoluminescence of solid cometary substances, including dusty halos. We propose to consider comet flares as the thermoluminescence of the cometary ices and mineral dust. The article provides the results of some laboratory experiments on frozen phosphorescence of a number of minerals (quartz, forsterite, and diamond) conducted over the past several years and relevant for reviewing the given problem. We also propose a concept of the comet's luminescent relictography and some scientific initiations. Properties of red and blue thermoluminescence flares of cometary halos are described, and we consider the similarity of thermoluminescence and cathodoluminescence processes of cometary dust. Various aspects of the problem are under discussion.