Anomalous nitrogen isotope ratio in comets

Science. 2003 Sep 12;301(5639):1522-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1086711.

Abstract

High-resolution spectra of the CN B2 summation operator +-X2 summation operator + (0,0) band at 390 nanometers yield isotopic ratios for comets C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) as follows: 165 +/- 40 and 115 +/- 20 for 12C/13C, 140 +/- 35 and 140 +/- 30 for 14N/15N. Our N isotopic measurements are lower than the terrestrial 14N/15N = 272 and the ratio for Hale-Bopp from measurements of HCN, the presumed parent species of CN. This isotopic anomaly suggests the existence of other parent(s) of CN, with an even lower N isotopic ratio. Organic compounds like those found in interplanetary dust particles are good candidates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon Isotopes / analysis
  • Cyanides / analysis
  • Fluorescence
  • Meteoroids*
  • Nitrogen Isotopes / analysis*
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Cyanides
  • Nitrogen Isotopes
  • Organic Chemicals