Goddard Space Flight Center
Planetary Systems Laboratory

Planetary Systems Laboratory

Two Columns

COMETS

     Comet Image

Comet_Image

Laboratory research on comets is focused in the infrared spectral region, where parent volatiles and dust have prominent signatures. Scientists in the Laboratory study the excitation and dynamics of non-thermal emission from cometary comae, and the temporal evolution of comets as they are irradiated by the Sun. The composition and evolution of comets reveals key information on the origin and evolution of the Solar System. Many molecular species seen in comets are pre-biotic, and may have played a role in the origin and evolution of life. This aspect of research in our Laboratory is focused in the Goddard Center for Astrobiology. Astronomical facilities used by scientists in the Laboratory include infrared spectrometers on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, and the Keck telescope, and the Very Large Telescope (ESO, La Silla, Spain).






H2O_in_Q2"

Water observed in the coma of Comet C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)

USA Gov . gov NASA Logo - nasa.gov