The organic-rich surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as seen by VIRTIS/Rosetta
Journal
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
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Coradini, A.
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Erard, S.
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Arnold, G.
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Drossart, P.
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Bockelee-Morvan, D.
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Leyrat, C.
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Schmitt, B.
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Quirico, E.
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McCord, T.
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Moroz, L.
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Ammannito, E.
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Barucci, M. A.
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Benkhoff, J.
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Bibring, J. P.
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Blanco, A.
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Blecka, M.
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Carlson, R.
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Carsenty, U.
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Combes, M.
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Combi, M.
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Crovisier, J.
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Encrenaz, T.
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Federico, C.
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Fink, U.
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Fonti, S.
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Ip, W. H.
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Irwin, P.
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Jaumann, R.
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Kuehrt, E.
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Langevin, Y.
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Magni, G.
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Mottola, S.
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Orofino, V.
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Schade, U.
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Taylor, F.
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Tiphene, D.
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Tozzi, G. P.
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Beck, P.
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Biver, N.
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Bonal, L.
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Combe, J. -Ph.
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Despan, D.
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Flamini, E.
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Fornasier, S.
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Gudipati, M.
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Markus, K.
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Merlin, F.
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Stephan, K.
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Cicchetti, A.
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Hello, Y.
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Henry, F.
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Jacquinod, S.
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Peter, G.
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Reess, J. M.
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Semery, A.
Abstract
The VIRTIS (Visible, Infrared and Thermal Imaging Spectrometer) instrument on board the Rosetta spacecraft has provided evidence of carbon-bearing compounds on the nucleus of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The very low reflectance of the nucleus (normal albedo of 0.060 ± 0.003 at 0.55 micrometers), the spectral slopes in visible and infrared ranges (5 to 25 and 1.5 to 5% kÅ-1), and the broad absorption feature in the 2.9-to-3.6-micrometer range present across the entire illuminated surface are compatible with opaque minerals associated with nonvolatile organic macromolecular materials: a complex mixture of various types of carbon-hydrogen and/or oxygen-hydrogen chemical groups, with little contribution of nitrogen-hydrogen groups. In active areas, the changes in spectral slope and absorption feature width may suggest small amounts of water-ice. However, no ice-rich patches are observed, indicating a generally dehydrated nature for the surface currently illuminated by the Sun.
Volume
347
Issue
6220
Start page
aaa0628
Issn Identifier
0036-8075
Ads BibCode
2015Sci...347a0628C
Rights
open.access
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