Deep Impact Observation at the CSO
Submillimeter Spectroscopy of Comet
Tempel 1 during Deep Impact
D.C. Lis, M. Sumner, and J. Zmuidzinas
California Institute ofTechnology
Spectroscopic observations of
comet Temple 1 will be carried out
with Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, in
order to characterize the effect of the impactor on the chemical
composition and outgassing pattern of the comet. The pre-impact
activity of the comet has been monitored at radio wavelengths
since March 2005 by a team lead by scientists from the Paris
Observatory, using a variety of ground based telescopes and the
Odin satellite. CSO observations will start in the afternoon of
July 3 HST, a few hours before the impact and will be coordinated
with observations at other radio facilities around the world. The
primary goal is to characterize the amount of volatiles released
by the impact and the speed and direction of the released gases.
We will also look for variations in the molecular abundance
ratios before and after the impact to determine whether a more
pristine material, with different molecular composition, has been
released from deeper layers in the comet following the impact.
created on 17 June 2005
For outreach related questions, contact shinnaga@submm.caltech.edu