| Abstract : | Understanding the formation and evolution of our solar system has attracted a great amount of interest over the last several decades[1]. Recent years have seen a resurgence in the study of comets, which can provide valuable insights into solar system formation[2]. These “dirty snowballs” form by accumulating layers of dust and ice in orbit. Thus they provide a possible crucible for the formation of biomolecules from basic ingredients present in the proto-planetary disk[3,4]. Cometary spectroscopy allows us to peer inside the inner layers of a comet.
We have harnessed the Spitzer Space Telescope's Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) to analyze the thermal emissions (5-37 microns) of comets from diverse groups, e.g. Jovian, Kuiper, Oort cloud, etc. The spectra are fitted with a model outlined in ref.[2] using an in-house Python code[5].
We present a comparative study of the molecular composition of 16 comets belonging to different families. We find differences in molecular abundances, even within the comets belonging to the same family group. This reflects variations in their formation conditions and evolutionary paths within the solar system. The eccentric orbits of comets, influenced by the gravity of the gas giants, highlight the dynamic history of a comet’s migration. In-depth spectroscopic analysis of comets will not just allow us to understand planetary system formation and early stages, but comets also provide a unique environment for researching exotic matter, not easily attainable in Earth-based laboratories.
References
[1] M.Marov, 2018. The formation and evolution of the solar system. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Planetary Science.
[2] Lisse. et al., Science 313, pg.635 (2006), and references therein.
[3] Charnley et al., Adv. Space Res., 30, pg.1419 (2002).
[4] Marcus and Olsen, IAU Colloquium, 116, pg.439 (1989)
[5] Lebouteiller et al. ApJSS, 196, pg.8. (2011)
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