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Comets as a possible source of nanodust in the Solar System cloud and in planetary debris discs

Mann, Ingrid

Comets, comet-like objects and their fragments are the most plausible source for the dust in both the inner heliosphere and planetary debris discs around other stars. The smallest size of dust particles in debris discs is not known and recent observational results suggest that the size distribution of the dust extends down to sizes of a few nanome…

Setting the scene: what did we know before Rosetta?

Meech, K. J.

This paper provides an overview of our state of knowledge about comets prior to the Rosetta mission encounter. Starting with the historical perspective, this paper discusses the development of comet science up to the modern era of space exploration. The extent to which comets are tracers of solar system formation processes or preserve pristine int…

Cometary science after Rosetta

Knight, Matthew M.; Jones, Geraint H.; Fitzsimmons, Alan +1 more

The European Space Agency's Rosetta mission ended operations on 30 September 2016 having spent over 2 years in close proximity to its target comet, 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Shortly before this, in summer 2016, a discussion meeting was held to examine how the results of the mission could be framed in terms of cometary and solar system science in …

On the attempts to measure water (and other volatiles) directly at the surface of a comet

Sheridan, S.; Wright, I. P.; Barber, S. J. +2 more

The Ptolemy instrument on the Philae lander (of the Rosetta space mission) was able to make measurements of the major volatiles, water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, directly at the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. We give some background to the mission and highlight those instruments that have already given insights into the noti…

Dissipation and heating in solar wind turbulence: from the macro to the micro and back again

Chapman, S. C.; Osman, K. T.; Kiyani, K. H.

Kinetic scale turbulence and dissipation in the solar wind: key observational results and future outlook

Perri, S.; Sahraoui, F.; Goldstein, M. L. +1 more

Water in star- and planet-forming regions

van Dishoeck, E. F.; Bergin, E. A.

In this paper we discuss the astronomical search for water vapor in order to understand the disposition of water in all its phases throughout the process of star and planet formation. Our ability to detect and study water vapor has recently received a tremendous boost with the successful launch and operations of the Herschel Space Observatory. Her…

Hydride spectroscopy of the diffuse interstellar medium: new clues on the gas fraction in molecular form and cosmic ray ionization rate in relation to HFormula

Menten, K. M.; Falgarone, E.; Levrier, F. +13 more

Dynamical implications of seasonal and spatial variations in Titan's stratospheric composition

Nixon, Conor A.; Irwin, Patrick G. J.; Teanby, Nicholas A. +1 more

Composition and chemistry of Titan's thermosphere and ionosphere

Yelle, R. V.; Lavvas, P.; Vuitton, V.