According to a new study from the University of Central Florida, the composition of comets could be to blame for the outgassing of molecule from them.
Today's results were published in a journal.
The leader of the study was a PhD student in the Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida.
The ratio of certain molecules present after outgassing from comets can provide insight to the chemical composition of early solar systems. Outgassing is when comets warm up and start releasing gases.
She compiled the amounts of water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide from 25 comets to test predictions of solar system formation.
More comet carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide data was able to be studied. There were a number of scientific publications that contributed to the measurement. When the data was combined with different telescopes and different research teams, she was able to confirm that the data was accurate.
One of the most interesting results is that comets that are far away from the sun in the Oort cloud produce more CO 2 than comets that are closer to the sun. This was the first time it had been seen clearly.
According to the data, comets that have been hanging out very far from the sun in the Oort cloud may have been bombarded by Cosmic rays on their surface so much that it created a CO-depleted outer layer. After their first or second trip close to the sun, the outer layer is blasted off by the sun revealing a much more pristine comet composition which releases much more CO.
The researcher says the next step is to compare the results of the first centaur observations with the results of this study.
She received her master's degree in physics from the University of South Florida. She worked with professors at the University of Maryland and the University of Central Florida.
The new study of comets provides insight into the chemical composition of the early solar system. You can find it in the PSJ/ac960d.
Journal information: The Planetary Science Journal
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