Abstract:
Spectrum scans have been obtained of the head of Comet Austin on six nights at heliocentric distances (r) from 0.70 to 0.87 AU. The useful spectral region is λλ330-750 nm. Strong emission features of CN (388nm) and Swan band sequence of C₂ (474, 516, and 563 nm) were identified. Weak emission features of CH+C₂ (436nm), C₂ (600nm), CN (420nm) and CH+C₃ (405 nm) have also been found present. There is a change in the ratio of CN (388nm) to C₂ (516 nm) emission strength with increasing heliocentric distance. An estimate of the CN and C₂ abundances has been made and their production rates have been derived.
