Heliocentric evolution of the degradation of polyoxymethylene: Application to the origin of the formaldehyde (H2CO) extended source in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp)

The H2CO production rates measured in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) from radio wavelength observations [Biver, N., and 22 colleagues, 2002a. Earth Moon Planets 90, 5–14] showed a steep increase with decreasing heliocentric distance. We studied the heliocentric evolution of the degradation of polyoxymethylene (formaldehyde polymers: (CH2O)n, also called POM) into gaseous H2CO. POM decomposition can indeed explain the H2CO density profile measured in situ by Giotto spacecraft in the coma of Comet 1P/Halley, which is not compatible with direct release from the nucleus [Cottin, H., Bénilan, Y., Gazeau, M.-C., Raulin, F., 2004. Icarus 167, 397–416]. We show that the H2CO production curve measured in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp) can be accurately reproduced by this mechanism with a few percents by mass of solid POM in grains. The steep heliocentric evolution is explained by the thermal degradation of POM at distances less than 3.5 AU. This study demonstrates that refractory organics present in cometary dust can significantly contribute to the composition of the gaseous coma. POM, or POM-like polymers, might be present in cometary grains. Other molecules, like CO and HNC, might also be produced by a similar process.