POSSIBLE THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF THE SOLID COMETARY SUBSTANCE: THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF COMETARY SUBSTANCE

ABSTRACT The article describes a mechanism of the possible thermoluminescence of solid cometary substances, including dusty halos. We propose to consider comet flares as the thermoluminescence of the cometary ices and mineral dust. The article provides the results of some laboratory experiments on frozen phosphorescence of a number of minerals (quartz, forsterite, and diamond) conducted over the past several years and relevant for reviewing the given problem. We also propose a concept of the comet’s luminescent relictography and some scientific initiations. Properties of red and blue thermoluminescence flares of cometary halos are described, and we consider the similarity of thermoluminescence and cathodoluminescence processes of cometary dust. Various aspects of the problem are under discussion.