High Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy of Comet Hale-Bopp

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Scientific paper

High resolution spectra of comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) in the 2-5 mu m region obtained during UT 2-5 March 1997 revealed emission lines of the gas-phase molecules CH_4, C_2H_6, HCN, C_2H_2, H_2O, and CO. The spectra were obtained at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, using CSHELL, an imaging spectrometer with a spectral resolving power of ~ 2 x 10(4) . The comet's heliocentric and geocentric distances were 1.0 AU and 1.5AU, respectively, on 2 March. Based on a preliminary analysis of spectra taken near 3.0 mu m on 2 March, the P8-P11 lines of HCN and the P7 line of C_2H_2 have been detected. The estimated rotational temperature of HCN is ~80 K, which we assume is valid for C_2H_2 as well. Estimated production rates at the nucleus were ~7 x 10(27) sec(-1) for both molecules. Using a water production rate of 4.0 x 10(30) sec(-1) on 1.8 March, calculated from infrared emission lines (Dello Russo et al. IAUC 6604, 26 March 1997), we derive relative abundances of ~0.2 % with respect to water for both HCN and C_2H_2. OH lines were also detected and NH_2 lines were probably present. In addition, there was an emission feature which we have not yet identified at a rest wavenumber of 3286.57 cm(-1) , which was also present in Hyakutake.

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