A Note on the Statistical Evaluation of Compressed Mass Spectra Obtained from Dust Particles in the Coma of Comet Halley
Jessberger, E. K.; Fomenkova, M.; Mukhin, L.; Dolnikov, G.; Evlanov, E.; Nazarov, M.; Prilutsky, O.
Russia, Germany
Abstract
A weighing factor for individual dust grains based on an independent determination of the particle mass (rather than summing up the total number of ions of an element measured in all spectra) is established for the calculation of the average dust composition. The ion ratio distribution obtained from particles with different masses independent of classification of the particles as CHON, rock, and mixed are compared as are the ion ratio distributions of the rock-forming elements from rock particles and from CHON-particles. It is concluded that two grain populations can be identified in Comet Halley. These grains have different average chemical compositions and different sizes. It is proposed that they may also have different origins.