摘要:We searched for rotational lines of H12C14N in comet 46P/Wirtanen, using the Purple Mountain Observatory 13.7 m radio telescope.The J = 1–0 lines of HCN (3.4 mm wavelength) were unambiguously detected in 46P during the 2018 December 14–15 period, with a beam resolution of 62farcs2 and a velocity resolution of ~0.21 km s−1 per channel.The molecular production rates were computed.The mean HCN(1–0) production rate of 46P was (6.45 ± 1.31) × 1024 molec s−1 in the above two days.We found possible indications of time variation in the outgassing activity.The average HCN abundance relative to water Q[HCN]/${Q}_{[{{\rm{H}}}_{2}{\rm{O}}]}$ of 46P was (0.09 ± 0.01)%.The HCN line shapes gave primary information on the kinematics of the cometary atmosphere.The HCN linewidths provided a direct determination of the coma expansion velocity, which was about 0.5 ± 0.05 km s−1 at post-perihelion (1.056 au).
关键词:Comets;Comae;Small solar system bodies;Short period comets