NASA performs 3-D study of comets and their comas

(Comet ISON – Photo Credit: TRAPPIST/E. Jehin/ESO)

A NASA-led team of scientists have created detailed 3-D maps of the atmospheres surrounding the ISON and Lemmon comets. This allowed them to identify several of the gases in their comas, revealing the presence of formaldehyde and HNC (hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon).