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The dust-to-ices ratio in comets and Kuiper belt objects

Fulle, M.; Della Corte, V.; Rotundi, A.; Green, S. F.; Accolla, M.; Colangeli, L.; Ferrari, M.; Ivanovski, S.; Sordini, R. and Zakharov, V. (2017). The dust-to-ices ratio in comets and Kuiper belt objects. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 469(Suppl. 2) S45-S49.

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DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx983
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Abstract

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P hereinafter) is characterized by a dust transfer from the southern hemi-nucleus to the night-side northern dust deposits, which constrains the dust-to-ices mass ratio inside the nucleus to values a factor of 2 larger than that provided by the lost mass of gas and non-volatiles. This applies to all comets because the gas density in all night comae cannot prevent the dust fallback. Taking into account Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator (GIADA) data collected during the entire Rosetta mission, we update the average dust bulk density to ρD=785 +520/−115 $\rho {}{}_{\rm D} = 785_{-115}^{+520}$ kg m$^-3$ that, coupled to the 67P nucleus bulk density, confirms an average dust-to-ices mass ratio δ = 7.5 inside 67P. The improved dust densities are consistent with a mixture of (20 ± 8) per cent of ices, (4 ± 1) per cent of Fe sulphides, (22 ± 2) per cent of silicates and (54 ± 5) per cent of hydrocarbons, on average volume abundances. These values correspond to solar chemical abundances, as suggested by the elemental C/Fe ratio observed in 67P. The ice content in 67P matches that inferred in Kuiper belt objects, (20 ± 12) per cent on average volume abundance and suggests a water content in all trans-Neptunian objects lower than in CI chondrites. The 67P icy pebbles and the dust collected by GIADA have a microporosity of (49 ± 5) and (59 ± 8) per cent, respectively.

Item Type: Journal Item
Copyright Holders: 2017 The Authors
ISSN: 1365-2966
Project Funding Details:
Funded Project NameProject IDFunding Body
Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at the Open University (APSOU).ST/L000776/1STFC (Science & Technology Facilities Council)
Keywords: space vehicles; comets; 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko; Kuiper belt; Pluto; Charon; Triton; protoplanetary discs
Academic Unit/School: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences
Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Item ID: 49659
Depositing User: Simon Green
Date Deposited: 19 Jun 2017 08:35
Last Modified: 20 Oct 2018 09:30
URI: http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/49659
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