Tempel-1 spectra, June 20-21, 2005

Tempel-1 spectra, June 20-21, 2005
Tempel-1 spectra, June 20-21, 2005 The "squiggly line" in the graph at right represents the first spectral information on the composition of Deep Impact's coma, captured a full 10 days before the encounter. Arrows point to spectral "features" -- peaks and valleys -- that can be used to identify the presence of specific chemical species, such as water (H20), hydrocarbons (CH-X), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). At its best, the spectrometer will be able to capture spectra like these for 7-by-7-meter (25-by-25-foot) pixels on the surface of Tempel 1. NASA/JPL-Caltech/UMD/J. Sunshine