Hypervolatiles In A Jupiter-Family Comet: Observations Of 45p/Honda–Mrkos–Pajdušáková Using Ishell At The Nasa-Irtf, Michael A. Disanti, Boncho P. Bonev, Neil Dello Russo, Ronald J. Vervack, Erika L. Gibb, Nathan X. Roth, Adam J. Mckay, Hideyo Kawakita, Lori M. Feaga, Harold A. Weaver
Nov 2017
Hypervolatiles In A Jupiter-Family Comet: Observations Of 45p/Honda–Mrkos–Pajdušáková Using Ishell At The Nasa-Irtf, Michael A. Disanti, Boncho P. Bonev, Neil Dello Russo, Ronald J. Vervack, Erika L. Gibb, Nathan X. Roth, Adam J. Mckay, Hideyo Kawakita, Lori M. Feaga, Harold A. Weaver
Erika Gibb
We used the new high spectral resolution cross-dispersed facility spectrograph, iSHELL, at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility on Maunakea, HI, to observe Jupiter-family comet (JFC) 45P/Honda–Mrkos–Pajdušáková. We report water production rates, as well as production rates and abundance ratios relative to H2O, for eight trace parent molecules (native ices), CO, CH4, H2CO, CH3OH, HCN, NH3, C2H2, and C2H6, on 2 days spanning UT 2017 January 6/7 and 7/8, shortly following perihelion. Trace species were measured simultaneously with H2O and/or OH prompt emission, a proxy for H2O production, thereby providing a robust and consistent means of establishing the native ice composition …
Beyond 3 Au From The Sun: The Hypervolatiles Ch4, C2h6, And Co In The Distant Comet C/2006 W3 (Christensen), Boncho P. Bonev, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Michael A. Disanti, Hermann Boehnhardt, Manuela Lippi, Erika L. Gibb, Lucas Paganini, Michael J. Mumma
May 2017
Beyond 3 Au From The Sun: The Hypervolatiles Ch4, C2h6, And Co In The Distant Comet C/2006 W3 (Christensen), Boncho P. Bonev, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Michael A. Disanti, Hermann Boehnhardt, Manuela Lippi, Erika L. Gibb, Lucas Paganini, Michael J. Mumma
Erika Gibb
Comet C/2006 W3 (Christensen) remained outside a heliocentric distance (R h) of 3.1 au throughout its apparition, but it presented an exceptional opportunity to directly sense a suite of molecules released from its nucleus. The Cryogenic Infrared Echelle Spectrograph at ESO-VLT detected infrared emissions from the three "hypervolatiles" (CO, CH4, and C2H6) that have the lowest sublimation temperatures among species that are commonly studied in comets by remote sensing. Even at R h = 3.25 au, the production rate of each molecule exceeded those measured for the same species in a number of other comets, although these comets were observed …
The Composition Of Comet C/2012 K1 (Panstarrs) And The Distribution Of Primary Volatile Abundances Among Comets, Nathan X. Roth, Erika L. Gibb, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Lucas Paganini
Mar 2017
The Composition Of Comet C/2012 K1 (Panstarrs) And The Distribution Of Primary Volatile Abundances Among Comets, Nathan X. Roth, Erika L. Gibb, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Lucas Paganini
Erika Gibb
On 2014 May 22 and 24 we characterized the volatile composition of the dynamically new Oort cloud comet C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS) using the long-slit, high resolution (λ/Δλ ≈ 25,000) near-infrared echelle spectrograph (NIRSPEC) at the 10 m Keck II telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii. We detected fluorescent emission from six primary volatiles (H2O, HCN, CH4, C2H6, CH3OH, and CO). Upper limits were derived for C2H2, NH3, and H2CO. We report rotational temperatures, production rates, and mixing ratios (relative to water). Compared with median abundance ratios for primary volatiles in other sampled Oort cloud comets, trace gas abundance ratios in C/2012 K1 …
En Route To Destruction: The Evolution In Composition Of Ices In Comet D/2012 S1 (Ison) Between 1.2 And 0.34 Au From The Sun As Revealed At Infrared Wavelengths, M. A. Disanti, B. P. Bonev, E. L. Gibb, L. Paganini, G. L. Villanueva, M. J. Mumma, J. V. Keane, G. A. Blake, N. Dello Russo, K. J. Meech, R. J. Vervack, A. J. Mckay
Mar 2016
En Route To Destruction: The Evolution In Composition Of Ices In Comet D/2012 S1 (Ison) Between 1.2 And 0.34 Au From The Sun As Revealed At Infrared Wavelengths, M. A. Disanti, B. P. Bonev, E. L. Gibb, L. Paganini, G. L. Villanueva, M. J. Mumma, J. V. Keane, G. A. Blake, N. Dello Russo, K. J. Meech, R. J. Vervack, A. J. Mckay
Erika Gibb
We report production rates for H2O and eight trace molecules (CO, C2H6, CH4, CH3OH, NH3, H2CO, HCN, C2H2) in the dynamically new, Sun-grazing Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON), using high-resolution spectroscopy at Keck II and the NASA IRTF on 10 pre-perihelion dates encompassing heliocentric distances Rh = 1.21–0.34 AU. Measured water production rates spanned two orders of magnitude, consistent with a long-term heliocentric power law Q(H2O) ${\rm{\propto }}{R}_{{\rm{h}}}^{(-3.1\pm 0.1)}$. Abundance ratios for CO, C2H6, and CH4 with respect to H2O remained constant with Rh and below their corresponding mean values measured among a dominant sample of Oort Cloud comets. CH3OH was …
C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy) At Ir Wavelengths And The Variability Of Co Abundances Among Oort Cloud Comets, L. Paganini, M. J. Mumma, G. L. Villanueva, J. V. Keane, G. A. Blake, B. P. Bonev, M. A. Disanti, E. L. Gibb, K. J. Meech
Aug 2014
C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy) At Ir Wavelengths And The Variability Of Co Abundances Among Oort Cloud Comets, L. Paganini, M. J. Mumma, G. L. Villanueva, J. V. Keane, G. A. Blake, B. P. Bonev, M. A. Disanti, E. L. Gibb, K. J. Meech
Erika Gibb
We report production rates, rotational temperatures, and related parameters for gases in C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy) using the Near InfraRed SPECtrometer at the Keck Observatory, on six UT dates spanning heliocentric distances (Rh ) that decreased from 1.35 AU to 1.16 AU (pre-perihelion). We quantified nine gaseous species (H2O, OH*, CO, CH4, HCN, C2H6, CH3OH, NH3, and NH2) and obtained upper limits for two others (C2H2 and H2CO). Compared with organics-normal comets, our results reveal highly enriched CO, (at most) slightly enriched CH3OH, C2H6, and HCN, and CH4 consistent with "normal", yet depleted, NH3, C2H2, and H2CO. Rotational temperatures increased from …
The Unexpectedly Bright Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) Unveiled At Near-Infrared Wavelengths, Lucas Paganini, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Boncho P. Bonev, Jacqueline V. Keane, Erika L. Gibb, Hermann Boehnhardt, Karen J. Meech
Dec 2013
The Unexpectedly Bright Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) Unveiled At Near-Infrared Wavelengths, Lucas Paganini, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Boncho P. Bonev, Jacqueline V. Keane, Erika L. Gibb, Hermann Boehnhardt, Karen J. Meech
Erika Gibb
We acquired near-infrared spectra of the Oort cloud comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) at three different heliocentric distances (R h) during the comet's 2013 perihelion passage, providing a comprehensive measure of the outgassing behavior of parent volatiles and cosmogonic indicators. Our observations were performed pre-perihelion at R h = 1.2 AU with CRIRES (on 2013 February 2 and 4), and post-perihelion at R h = 0.75 AU with CSHELL (on March 31 and April 1) and R h = 1.74 AU with NIRSPEC (on June 20). We detected 10 volatile species (H2O, OH* prompt emission, C2H6, CH3OH, H2CO, HCN, CO, CH4, …
Detection Of Ch4 In The Gv Tau N Protoplanetary Disk, Erika L. Gibb, David Horne
Oct 2013
Detection Of Ch4 In The Gv Tau N Protoplanetary Disk, Erika L. Gibb, David Horne
Erika Gibb
T Tauri stars are low mass young stars that may serve as analogs to the early solar system. Observations of organic molecules in the protoplanetary disks surrounding T Tauri stars are important for characterizing the chemical and physical processes that lead to planet formation. Searches for undetected molecules, particularly in the inner, planet forming regions of these disks are important for testing protoplanetary disk chemical models and for understanding the evolution of volatiles through the star and planet formation process. We used NIRSPEC on Keck 2 to perform a high resolution (λ/Δλ ~ 25,000) L-band survey of T Tauri star …
Spectro-Astrometry Of Water In Dr Tauri, Logan R. Brown, Matthew R. Troutman, Erika L. Gibb
May 2013
Spectro-Astrometry Of Water In Dr Tauri, Logan R. Brown, Matthew R. Troutman, Erika L. Gibb
Erika Gibb
We present high-resolution, near-infrared spectro-astrometric (SA) data for the T Tauri star DR Tau using NIRSPEC at the Keck II telescope. Spectro-astrometry obtains sub-seeing spatial information from emission lines originating in a non-point source object, such as a circumstellar disk. We report the first detection of water SA signatures in a protoplanetary disk. Three water features near 3 μm were averaged together to produce the total signal analyzed. Using a disk model, we constrained the position angle of the disk (~140°), the inclination of the disk (~13°), and the emitting region of the emission lines (~0.056-0.38 AU).
Chemical Composition Of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet, Erika L. Gibb, Boncho P. Bonev, Geronimo Villanueva, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Emily Sudholt, Yana Radeva
May 2012
Chemical Composition Of Comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin): Another ''Atypical'' Comet, Erika L. Gibb, Boncho P. Bonev, Geronimo Villanueva, Michael A. Disanti, Michael J. Mumma, Emily Sudholt, Yana Radeva
Erika Gibb
We measured the volatile chemical composition of comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin) on three dates from 2009 January 30 to February 1 using NIRSPEC, the high-resolution (λ/Δλ ≈ 25,000), long-slit echelle spectrograph at Keck 2. We sampled nine primary (parent) volatile species (H2O, C2H6, CH3OH, H2CO, CH4, HCN, C2H2, NH3, CO) and two product species (OH* and NH2). We also report upper limits for HDO and CH3D. C/2007 N3 (Lulin) displayed an unusual composition when compared to other comets. Based on comets measured to date, CH4 and C2H6 exhibited "normal" abundances relative to water, CO and HCN were only moderately depleted, …
Temporal And Spatial Aspects Of Gas Release During The 2010 Apparition Of Comet 103p/Hartley 2, M. J. Mumma, B. P. Bonev, G. L. Villanueva, L. Paganini, M. A. Disanti, E. L. Gibb, J. V. Keane, K. J. Meech, G. A. Blake, R. S. Ellis, M. Lippi, H. Boehnhardt, K. Magee-Sauer
Jun 2011
Temporal And Spatial Aspects Of Gas Release During The 2010 Apparition Of Comet 103p/Hartley 2, M. J. Mumma, B. P. Bonev, G. L. Villanueva, L. Paganini, M. A. Disanti, E. L. Gibb, J. V. Keane, K. J. Meech, G. A. Blake, R. S. Ellis, M. Lippi, H. Boehnhardt, K. Magee-Sauer
Erika Gibb
We report measurements of eight primary volatiles (H2O, HCN, CH4, C2H6, CH3OH, C2H2, H2CO, and NH3) and two product species (OH and NH2) in comet 103P/Hartley 2 using high-dispersion infrared spectroscopy. We quantified the long- and short-term behavior of volatile release over a three-month interval that encompassed the comet's close approach to Earth, its perihelion passage, and flyby of the comet by the Deep Impact spacecraft during the EPOXI mission. We present production rates for individual species, their mixing ratios relative to water, and their spatial distributions in the coma on multiple dates. The production rates for water, ethane, HCN, …
Epoxi: Comet 103p/Hartley 2 Observations From A Worldwide Campaign ; Astrophysical Journal Letters, K. J. Meech, M. F. A'Hearn, J. A. Adams, P. Bacci, J. Bai, L. Barrera, M. Battelino, J. M. Bauer, E. Becklin, B. Bhatt, N. Biver, D. Bockelee-Morvan, D. Bodewits, H. Bohnhardt, J. Boissier, B. P. Bonev, W. Borghini, J. R. Brucato, E. Bryssinck, M. W. Buie, H. Canovas, D. Castellano, S. B. Charnley, W. P. Chen, P. Chiang, Y. J. Choi, D. J. Christian, Y. L. Chuang, Anita L. Cochran, P. Colom, M. R. Combi, I. M. Coulson, J. Crovisier, N. Dello Russo, K. Dennerl, K. Dewahl, M. A. Disanti, M. Facchini, T. L. Farnham, Y. Fernandez, H. G. Floren, U. Frisk, T. Fujiyoshi, R. Furusho, T. Fuse, G. Galli, D. A. Garcia-Hernandez, A. Gersch, Z. Getu
Dec 2010
Epoxi: Comet 103p/Hartley 2 Observations From A Worldwide Campaign ; Astrophysical Journal Letters, K. J. Meech, M. F. A'Hearn, J. A. Adams, P. Bacci, J. Bai, L. Barrera, M. Battelino, J. M. Bauer, E. Becklin, B. Bhatt, N. Biver, D. Bockelee-Morvan, D. Bodewits, H. Bohnhardt, J. Boissier, B. P. Bonev, W. Borghini, J. R. Brucato, E. Bryssinck, M. W. Buie, H. Canovas, D. Castellano, S. B. Charnley, W. P. Chen, P. Chiang, Y. J. Choi, D. J. Christian, Y. L. Chuang, Anita L. Cochran, P. Colom, M. R. Combi, I. M. Coulson, J. Crovisier, N. Dello Russo, K. Dennerl, K. Dewahl, M. A. Disanti, M. Facchini, T. L. Farnham, Y. Fernandez, H. G. Floren, U. Frisk, T. Fujiyoshi, R. Furusho, T. Fuse, G. Galli, D. A. Garcia-Hernandez, A. Gersch, Z. Getu
Erika Gibb
Earth- and space-based observations provide synergistic information for space mission encounters by providing data over longer timescales, at different wavelengths and using techniques that are impossible with an in situ flyby. We report here such observations in support of the EPOXI spacecraft flyby of comet 103P/Hartley 2. The nucleus is small and dark, and exhibited a very rapidly changing rotation period. Prior to the onset of activity, the period was ~16.4 hr. Starting in 2010 August the period changed from 16.6 hr to near 19 hr in December. With respect to dust composition, most volatiles and carbon and nitrogen isotope …
Co And H3 + Toward Mwc 1080, Mwc 349, And Lkhα 101, Erika Gibb, S. D. Brittain, T W. Rettig, M Troutman, Theodore Simon, C Kulesa
May 2010
Co And H3 + Toward Mwc 1080, Mwc 349, And Lkhα 101, Erika Gibb, S. D. Brittain, T W. Rettig, M Troutman, Theodore Simon, C Kulesa
Erika Gibb
We present high-resolution, near-infrared NIRSPEC observations of the fundamental rovibrational CO and H+ 3 R(1,0), R(1,1) u , and Q(1,0) transitions toward three early-type young stars: MWC 1080, MWC 349, and LkHα 101. These observations were performed for the purpose of constraining the physical characteristics of the interstellar material along each line of sight. Toward MWC 1080, we detected strong CO absorption and determined a column density upper limit of 1.4 × 1014 cm–2 for H+ 3. We infer that there is very little diffuse material along the line of sight toward MWC 1080 and that the CO absorption is …
Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz): Parent Volatiles, A Search For Deuterated Methane, And Constraint On The Ch4 Spin Temperature, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael J. Mumma, Erika L. Gibb, Michael A. Disanti, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Karen Magee-Sauer, Richard S. Ellis
Jul 2009
Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz): Parent Volatiles, A Search For Deuterated Methane, And Constraint On The Ch4 Spin Temperature, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael J. Mumma, Erika L. Gibb, Michael A. Disanti, Geronimo L. Villanueva, Karen Magee-Sauer, Richard S. Ellis
Erika Gibb
High-dispersion (λ/δλ ≈ 25,000) infrared spectra of Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz) were acquired on 2004 November 28-29, and 2005 January 19 (UT dates) with the Near InfraRed echelle SPECtrograph (NIRSPEC) at the Keck-2 telescope on Mauna Kea. We detected H2O, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, CO, H2CO, CH3OH, HCN, and NH3 and we conducted a sensitive search for CH3D. We report rotational temperatures, production rates, and mixing ratios (with respect to H2O) at heliocentric distances of 1.49 AU (2004 November) and 1.21 AU (2005 January). We highlight three principal results. (1) The mixing ratios of parent volatiles measured at 1.49 AU and …
The Peculiar Volatile Composition Of Comet 8p/Tuttle: A Contact Binary Of Chemically Distinct Cometesimals?, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael J. Mumma, Yana L. Radeva, Michael A. Disanti, Erika L. Gibb, Geronimo L. Villanueva
Jun 2008
The Peculiar Volatile Composition Of Comet 8p/Tuttle: A Contact Binary Of Chemically Distinct Cometesimals?, Boncho P. Bonev, Michael J. Mumma, Yana L. Radeva, Michael A. Disanti, Erika L. Gibb, Geronimo L. Villanueva
Erika Gibb
We report measurements of eight native (i.e., released directly from the comet nucleus) volatiles (H2O, HCN, CH4, C2H2, C2H6, CO, H2CO, and CH3OH) in comet 8P/Tuttle using NIRSPEC at Keck 2. Comet Tuttle reveals a truly unusual composition, distinct from that of any comet observed to date at infrared wavelengths. The prominent enrichment of methanol relative to water contrasts with the depletions of other molecules, especially C2H2, HCN, and H2CO. We suggest that the nucleus of 8P/Tuttle may contain two cometesimals characterized by distinct volatile composition. The relative abundances C2/CN, C2/OH, and CN/OH in 8P/Tuttle (measured at optical/near-UV wavelengths) differ …
Depleted Carbon Monoxide In Fragment C Of The Jupiter-Family Comet 73p/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, M. A. Disanti, W. M. Anderson, G. L. Villanueva, B. P. Bonev, K. Magee-Sauer, E. L. Gibb, M. J. Mumma
May 2007
Depleted Carbon Monoxide In Fragment C Of The Jupiter-Family Comet 73p/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, M. A. Disanti, W. M. Anderson, G. L. Villanueva, B. P. Bonev, K. Magee-Sauer, E. L. Gibb, M. J. Mumma
Erika Gibb
Carbon monoxide emission was targeted in fragment C of the recently split Jupiter-family comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 during its 2006 apparition, using the Cryogenic Echelle Spectrograph (CSHELL) at the NASA IRTF on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Simultaneous sounding with H2O near 4.65 μm revealed highly depleted CO, consistent with a mixing ratio of 0.5% ± 0.13%. Along with depleted CH3OH but nearly normal HCN, this may indicate that this comet formed in the inner giant planets' region or, alternatively, that it formed relatively late, after significant clearing of the protosolar nebula.
Warm Hcn, C2h2, And Co In The Disk Of Gv Tau, Erika Gibb, K. A. Van Brunt, S. D. Brittain, T W. Rettig
May 2007
Warm Hcn, C2h2, And Co In The Disk Of Gv Tau, Erika Gibb, K. A. Van Brunt, S. D. Brittain, T W. Rettig
Erika Gibb
We present the first high-resolution, ground-based observations of HCN and C2H2 toward the T Tauri binary star system GV Tau. We detected strong absorption due to HCN ν3 and weak C2H2 [ν3 and ν2 + (ν4 + ν5)img1.gif] absorption toward the primary (GV Tau S) but not the infrared companion. We also report CO column densities and rotational temperatures, and present abundances relative to CO of HCN/CO ~ 0.6% and C2H/CO ~ 1.2% and an upper limit for CH4/CO < 0.37% toward GV Tau S. Neither HCN nor C2H2 were detected toward the infrared companion, and results suggest that abundances …
The Abundance Of Carbon Dioxide Ice In The Quiescent Intracloud Medium, D. C. B. Whittet, S. S. Shenoy, E. A. Bergin, J. E. Chiar, P. A. Gerakines, E. L. Gibb, G. J. Melnick, D. A. Neufeld
Jan 2007
The Abundance Of Carbon Dioxide Ice In The Quiescent Intracloud Medium, D. C. B. Whittet, S. S. Shenoy, E. A. Bergin, J. E. Chiar, P. A. Gerakines, E. L. Gibb, G. J. Melnick, D. A. Neufeld
Erika Gibb
We present new observations with the Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope of the solid-CO2 absorption feature near 15 μm in the spectra of eight field stars behind the Taurus complex of dark clouds. Solid CO2 is detected in six lines of sight. New results are combined with previous data to investigate the correlation of CO2 column density with those of other major ice constituents (H2O and CO) and with extinction. CO2 is shown to display a "threshold extinction" effect, i.e., a minimum extinction (A0 = 4.3 ± 1.0 mag) required for detection, behavior similar to that previously …
Post-Outburst Infrared Spectra Of V1647 Ori, The Illuminating Star Of Mcneil's Nebula, Erika Gibb, T W. Rettig, S D. Brittain, D Wasikowski, Theodore Simon, William D. Vacca, Michael C. Cushing
Apr 2006
Post-Outburst Infrared Spectra Of V1647 Ori, The Illuminating Star Of Mcneil's Nebula, Erika Gibb, T W. Rettig, S D. Brittain, D Wasikowski, Theodore Simon, William D. Vacca, Michael C. Cushing
Erika Gibb
V1647 Ori is a low-mass star in the L1630 star-forming region that underwent an outburst in late 2003 and early 2004. We present postoutburst infrared spectra obtained with NIRSPEC (Keck II) and SpeX (IRTF) and compare these to spectra taken during the outburst. The results show that the temperature of the hot CO formed in the inner part of the disk has declined by ~800 K, while the water and CO ice and low-J CO gas features remained unchanged, consistent with previous assertions that the latter, low-temperature features arise in the foreground cloud. The P Cygni profiles of the Paschen …
