ALMA Mapping of Rapid Gas and Dust Variations in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON):New Insights into the Origin of Cometary HNC

M. A. Cordiner, J. Boissier, S. B. Charnley, A. J. Remijan, M. J. Mumma, G. Villanueva, D. C. Lis, S. N. Milam, L. Paganini, J. Crovisier, D. Bockelee-Morvan, Y. J. Kuan, N. Biver, I. M. Coulson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Observations of the sungrazing comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) were carried out using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array at a heliocentric distance of 0.58-0.54 au (pre-perihelion) on 2013 November 16-17. Temporally resolved measurements of the coma distributions of HNC, CH3OH, H2CO, and dust were obtained over the course of about an hour on each day. During the period UT 10:10-11:00 on November 16, the comet displayed a remarkable drop in activity, manifested as a >42% decline in the molecular line and continuum fluxes. The H2CO observations are consistent with an abrupt, ≈50% reduction in the cometary gas production rate soon after the start of our observations. On November 17, the total observed fluxes remained relatively constant during a similar period, but strong variations in the morphology of the HNC distribution were detected as a function of time, indicative of a clumpy, intermittent outflow for this species. Our observations suggest that at least part of the detected HNC originated from degradation of nitrogen-rich organic refractory material, released intermittently from confined regions of the nucleus. By contrast, the distributions of CH3OH and H2CO during the November 17 observations were relatively uniform, consistent with isotropic outflow and stable activity levels for these species. These results highlight a large degree of variability in the production of gas and dust from comet ISON during its pre-perihelion outburst, consistent with repeated disruption of the nucleus interspersed with periods of relative quiescence.

Original languageEnglish
Article number147
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume838
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Apr 1

Keywords

  • comets: individual (C/2012 S1 (ISON)
  • molecular processes
  • techniques: imaging spectroscopy
  • techniques: interferometric

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'ALMA Mapping of Rapid Gas and Dust Variations in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON):New Insights into the Origin of Cometary HNC'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this