Simulation of cometary infrared spectra using laboratory extinction data of carbonaceous materials

Laboratory observations of the behavior of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (HAC) and the vitreous homogeneous organic compound vitrine may furnish a key to the identification of the 3.3-3.4 micron bands encountered in Comet Halley spectra between 3 and 4 microns. When the HAC annealing temperature rises, or when the rank of vitrines increases, a similar change occurs in the structure of these carbonaceous materials from a prevalent aliphatic to a dominant aromatic character. In situ mass spectrometry investigations of CHON particles conducted by Giotto and both Vega 1 and 2 appear to confirm the similarity of physical structure between carbonaceous particles and those observed in the laboratory. 46 refs