P51D-3982:
Spectral Analysis of Cometary X-Rays Emission Mechanisms
Friday, 19 December 2014
Bradford Theodore Snios, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT, United States, Vasili Alex Kharchenko, UConn & Harvard-Smiths. CfA, Upton, MA, United States and Nicholas Lewkow, University of Connecticut, Somerville, MA, United States
Abstract:
To establish contributions from different emission mechanisms within a cometary atmosphere, we perform a theoretical analysis of cometary X-ray emission spectra. We develop a model that generates updated spectra of solar wind charge-exchange emissions together with accurate scattering and fluorescence spectra of solar X-rays by atoms, molecules, and ice/dust particles. Our model also explores scattering and fluorescence spectra for different solar conditions, including spectra induced by solar X-ray flares of different classes and durations. Utilizing our results, the major emission mechanism is determined for both the 0.3-1.0 keV and 1.0-3.0 keV photon energy ranges. Additionally, we compare the modeled spectra of cometary X-rays with cometary observations from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. These comparisons establish upper limits on ice/dust mass production rates, with an emphasis on nanoparticles, for several comets. We conclude with a discussion of the impact of of ice/dust particles in the formation of cometary X-ray emission spectra.
