The Chemical Composition of Halley Type Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks

Comets, commonly regarded as the custodians of the most primitive matter in our Solar System, comprise frozen water, particles, and other remains from the primordial solar nebula. These celestial objects have largely preserved their original composition due to their relative inactivity since formation. By examining cometary compositions, we therefore gain valuable insights into the conditions and processes that influenced the early Solar System. Comparing the molecular abundances in cometary ices to those in interstellar space provides an opportunity to evaluate theories concerning the chemical evolution that occurred during the birth of planetary systems. This research leverages the capabilities of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to conduct an in-depth spectral imaging survey of the bright Halley-type comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. ALMA's unprecedented sensitivity and resolution enable the detailed mapping of various gases in the comet's coma, providing the first spatial maps and abundances of these components in a Halley-type comet, and offering new insights into the physical and chemical history of planet-forming materials. Additionally, the survey aims to enhance our understanding of interstellar and protoplanetary disk ice compositions and potentially identify new cometary molecules.This comprehensive mapping of different molecules will generate a valuable dataset for the scientific community, advancing knowledge in cometary science and the early Solar System.