A Millimeter Wavelength Interferometric Study of Organic Molecules in Comet Hale -Bopp (C/1995 O1)

Veal, Jeffrey Matthew

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Description

Title

A Millimeter Wavelength Interferometric Study of Organic Molecules in Comet Hale -Bopp (C/1995 O1)

Author(s)

Veal, Jeffrey Matthew

Issue Date

2000

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Snyder, Lewis E.

Department of Study

Astronomy

Discipline

Astronomy

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Language

eng

Abstract

"Observations of comet Hale-Bopp with the BIMA Array were conducted in interferometric and autocorrelation modes in the late winter and early spring of 1997. The following points summarize the highlights of this research project. (1) The capability of the BIMA Array to detect new cometary molecules has been established, with the discovery of HCO + in comet Hale-Bopp. (2) Millimeter wavelength interferometric maps of comet spectral line emission have been made for the first time, proving the concept that comets can be successfully observed with the BIMA Array. (3) A new technique, the ""difference map"", has been developed for analyzing high resolution images. This technique provides direct evidence of deviations from spherical outflow. (4) The full utility of dedicated data transfer links and high speed computers has been exploited, revealing the plausibility of yielding arcsecond level ephemeris corrections on a daily basis. (5) A three dimensional, non-spherically symmetric Monte Carlo code has been written to calculate production rates, the results of which, when combined with analysis of the high resolution observations and difference maps, have yielded more accurate production rates than those of the standard model."

Graduation Semester

2000

Type of Resource

text

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