Laboratory measurements of the cometary photochemical phenomena

Abstract

Laboratory experiments are described that provide fundamental information about photochemical processes in comets. The yield of cometary radicals such as CN, OH, etc. can be determined as a function of photolyzing wavelength. Quantum state distributions of the internal energy of the cometary radicals can also be measured as a function of wavelength permitting one to define the recoil velocity of the fragments. This type of information supplies the data needed for more elaborate models to interpret the data being obtained on comets