Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ The Astrophysical Jo...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
The Astrophysical Journal
Article . 2000 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
versions View all 1 versions
addClaim

Carbon Isotope Abundances in Comets

Authors: Wyckoff, S; Kleine, Marvin; Peterson, Bruce; Wehinger, P; Ziurys, L;

Carbon Isotope Abundances in Comets

Abstract

Rotational lines of 13C14N have been identified in high-resolution (λ/Δλ ~ 60,000) echelle spectra of the CN B2Σ+-X2Σ+ (0-0) band in three comets. The 12C/13C abundance ratios determined using a full fluorescence excitation model for comets Levy (C/1990 K1), Austin (C/1989 X1), and Okazaki-Levy-Rudenko (C/1989 XIX) are 90 ± 10, 85 ± 20, and 93 ± 20, respectively, consistent with the solar system ratio, 90. A lower limit for the nitrogen isotope ratio, 12C14N/12C15N 200, found for comet Levy is consistent with previous comet measurements and the solar system value, 272. The mean CN carbon isotope ratio in the five comets measured to date is 12C14N/12C15N = 90 ± 10, and the mean for the three molecular species C2, HCN, and CN measured in nine comets is 101 ± 15. Consistency of the cometary carbon isotope ratios with the bulk solar system value indicates (1) chemical homogeneity in the outer protosolar nebula, (2) minimal isotopic fractionation in the protosolar precursor molecular cloud, and (3) that comets formed coevally with the solar system. The 14% difference between the solar system (90) and the present solar neighborhood interstellar 12C/13C ratio (77 ± 7) may be indicative of significant Galactic 13C enrichment over the past 4.6 Gyr. However, even though models can match to within a factor of 2 the solar system abundances, including the carbon isotope ratio, other evidence suggests that simple homogeneous Galactic evolution models may not be adequate to explain detailed stellar and interstellar abundances in the Galaxy.

Country
Australia
Keywords

ISM: abundances, Solar system: formation, Keywords: Comets: general

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    43
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Top 10%
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Top 10%
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
43
Top 10%
Top 10%
Top 10%
Green
gold