Spectrum of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) in the optical wavelength range

• Published in: Kinematics and physics of celestial bodies Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 276 - 287
• Main Authors: Shubina, O. S., Korsun, P. P., Afanasiev, V. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Allerton Press 01.11.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics; Comets; Dynamics and Physics of Solar System Bodies; Earth; Emission; Kinematics; Observations and Techniques; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Space telescopes; Spectra; Spectrum analysis; Sun; Telescopes; Wavelengths; Special Astrophysical Observatory; Molecular Emission; Dimensional Spectrum; Celestial Body; Standard Star
• ISSN: 0884-5913; 1934-8401
• DOI: 10.3103/S0884591314060063

Moderate-resolution spectra of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) in the wavelength range from 380 to 540 nm have been analyzed. The spectra were acquired, when the comet was at the distances 1.96 and 1.36 AU from the Sun and the Earth, respectively. The observations were fulfilled in the prime focus of the 6-m BTA telescope (Special Astrophysical Observatory, Russian Academy of Sciences) with the use of the SCORPIO focal reducer. Molecular emissions of C 2 , C 3 , CN, CN 2 , CH, CH + , and CO + in the cometary coma were identified. In total, 148 emission features were detected. The gas production rate of molecules was determined with the Haser model. The ratios of the gas production rates are log[ Q (C 2 / Q (CN)] = 0.26 and log[ Q (C 3 / Q (CN)] = −1.09. The gas production rates of C 2 and C 3 molecules are 4.84 × 10 26 and 2.16 × 10 25 mol/s, respectively.