Molecular Abundances in Comets

Abstract

The molecular composition of cometary volatiles is a basic information on the nature of comets and a clue to their formation mechanisms. It is only recently that direct identifications of cometary volatiles were obtained through in situ exploration as well as from remote sensing at UV, IR and radio wavelengths. An inventory of known cometary volatiles is presented, with a critical review of the evaluations of their abundances.