Astrophysicists have discovered the first comet discovered interstellar 2I/Borisov composition was more alien than previously thought. Article researchers, which reveal the chemical composition of celestial bodies, published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
the researchers conducted observations using complex radio telescope ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter Array) in Chile to obtain detailed spectra and images of the comet, traveling through the inner Solar system. They analyzed the lengths of electromagnetic waves from a celestial body to determine the exact chemical composition of the object.
it turned Out that the comet is a cloud of gas and dust around the nucleus — contains the expected number of hydrogen cyanide. However, in the cloud of gas was 9-26 times more carbon monoxide (relative to water content) than scientists have ever seen in comets far from the Sun in a radius of 300 million kilometres. Initially, the experts believed that this celestial body is more like the icy objects from the outer regions of the Solar system.
a Possible reason for these differences may be other conditions under which the comet formed. The lower the temperature, the greater the expected concentration of co in the ice. For comet 2I/Borisov formation temperature could reach minus 250 degrees Celsius. In models of the origin of the Solar system this corresponds to the Kuiper belt, however, comets from this area contain less carbon monoxide. Therefore, the comet can be a fragment rich in carbon monoxide of comet or have an insulating coating, which prevents the sublimation of other volatiles, including water, but allows carbon monoxide gas to seep and penetrate into a coma.
