Spectrophotometry of comet Bradfield (1980t) during post-perihelion period

Abstract

Spectrum scans of the head of comet Bradfield (1980t) covering the wavelength range λ λ365-640 nm were made on two nights when the heliocentric distance of the comet varied from 0.55 to 0.58 AU. The emission features of the CN band at λ388 nm and Swan band sequence of C₂ at λ474 nm, λ516nm, and λ563 nm are identified and absolute fluxes in these bands as well as in the continuum are derived. The continuum energy distribution curves of the comet have been compared with those of the Sun and the star β Crv (G5 III). An estimate of the number of C₂ and CN molecules in the head of the comet has been made through the measured intensities of their respective bands lying in this region.