Pre-perihelion radio observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with Tianma radio telescope

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Auteurs principaux: Li, Juncen, Shi, Xian, Shi, Jianchun, Ma, Yuehua, Yang, Bin, Li, Jian-Yang, Xing, Zexi, Hui, Man-To, Wang, Zhen, Zhao, Ruining
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Publié: 2025
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author Li, Juncen
Shi, Xian
Shi, Jianchun
Ma, Yuehua
Yang, Bin
Li, Jian-Yang
Xing, Zexi
Hui, Man-To
Wang, Zhen
Zhao, Ruining
author_facet Li, Juncen
Shi, Xian
Shi, Jianchun
Ma, Yuehua
Yang, Bin
Li, Jian-Yang
Xing, Zexi
Hui, Man-To
Wang, Zhen
Zhao, Ruining
contents {The multiple outburst events of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during its 2024 apparition offer a unique window into highly-active volatile releasing processes not observable during quiescent periods. We performed radio observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with the Tianma-65m radio telescope, targeting the OH and NH$_3$ inversion lines at 18-cm and 1.3-cm, respectively. By monitoring 12P at different heliocentric distances on its inbound journey, we aim to provide insights into the comet's volatile composition and outburst behavior. Four observations were carried out between December 2023 and March 2024 when the comet was approaching the Sun from 2.22 AU to 1.18 AU. We conducted 18-cm OH lines observations on 4 single days using the cryogenically cooled receiver system of the telescope to derive $\rm H_{2}O$ production rate. During 12P's outburst on December 14, we also conducted observations targeting the $\rm NH_{3}$ emission. OH 18-cm lines were clearly detected with a signal-to-noise ratio of $\sim$4$σ$ (peak intensity). A tentative detection of $\rm NH_{3}$ was made at the $\sim$$3σ$ level during the outburst phase, but the detection needs to be further verified. Our observations provide information on the outgassing behavior of 12P/Pons-Brooks during its 2024 apparition. The water production rate of 12P, derived from the 18-cm OH lines is consistent with measurements obtained in other works. The possible detection of $\rm NH_{3}$ during an outburst suggests possible connections between subsurface volatile reservoir and the outburst mechanism. These results could further our understanding of the composition and activity of Halley-type comets.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_06936
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Pre-perihelion radio observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with Tianma radio telescope
Li, Juncen
Shi, Xian
Shi, Jianchun
Ma, Yuehua
Yang, Bin
Li, Jian-Yang
Xing, Zexi
Hui, Man-To
Wang, Zhen
Zhao, Ruining
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
{The multiple outburst events of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks during its 2024 apparition offer a unique window into highly-active volatile releasing processes not observable during quiescent periods. We performed radio observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with the Tianma-65m radio telescope, targeting the OH and NH$_3$ inversion lines at 18-cm and 1.3-cm, respectively. By monitoring 12P at different heliocentric distances on its inbound journey, we aim to provide insights into the comet's volatile composition and outburst behavior. Four observations were carried out between December 2023 and March 2024 when the comet was approaching the Sun from 2.22 AU to 1.18 AU. We conducted 18-cm OH lines observations on 4 single days using the cryogenically cooled receiver system of the telescope to derive $\rm H_{2}O$ production rate. During 12P's outburst on December 14, we also conducted observations targeting the $\rm NH_{3}$ emission. OH 18-cm lines were clearly detected with a signal-to-noise ratio of $\sim$4$σ$ (peak intensity). A tentative detection of $\rm NH_{3}$ was made at the $\sim$$3σ$ level during the outburst phase, but the detection needs to be further verified. Our observations provide information on the outgassing behavior of 12P/Pons-Brooks during its 2024 apparition. The water production rate of 12P, derived from the 18-cm OH lines is consistent with measurements obtained in other works. The possible detection of $\rm NH_{3}$ during an outburst suggests possible connections between subsurface volatile reservoir and the outburst mechanism. These results could further our understanding of the composition and activity of Halley-type comets.
title Pre-perihelion radio observations of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks with Tianma radio telescope
topic Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.06936