Skip to main content
Log in

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

  • Dynamics and Physics of Solar System Bodies
  • Published:
Kinematics and Physics of Celestial Bodies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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 C2, C3, CN, CN2, 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(C2/Q(CN)] = 0.26 and log[Q(C3/Q(CN)] = −1.09. The gas production rates of C2 and C3 molecules are 4.84 × 1026 and 2.16 × 1025 mol/s, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. O. V. Dobrovol’skii, Comets (Nauka, Moscow, 1996) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. I. Afanasiev and A. V. Moiseev, “The SCORPIO universal focal reducer of the 6-m telescope,” Astron. Lett. 31, 94–204 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. M. F. A’Hearn, R. L. Millis, D. G. Schleicher, et al., “The ensemble properties of comets: Results from narrowband photometry of 85 comets, 1976–1992,” Icarus 118, 223–270 (1995).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. C. Arpigny, “Comet spectra,” in Comets. Scientific Data and Missions (Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, 1972), pp. 84–111.

    Google Scholar 

  5. C. Arpigny, “Interpretation of comet spectra,” in The Study of Comets (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976), pp. 797–838.

    Google Scholar 

  6. N. Biver, D. Bockelee-Marvan, D. C. Lis, et al., “Molecular survey of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) at mm to submm wavelengths.” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.633B/. Cited 2012.

  7. D. C. Boice, H. Kawakita, H. Kobayashi, et al., “The coma chemistry of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd).” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.636B/. Cited 2012.

  8. D. Bodewits, T. L. Farnham, M. F. A’Hearn, and W. B. Landsman, “SWIFT observations of the long term activity of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd).” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.6084B/. Cited 2012.

  9. A. E. Douglas and G. Herzberg, “Band spectrum and structure of the CH+ molecule: Identification of three interstellar lines,” Can. J. Res. 20, 71–82 (1942).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. K. Dressler and D. A. Ramsay, “The electronic absorption spectra of NH2 and ND2,” Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London A 251, 553–604 (1959).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. T. Farnham, D. Bodewits, M. F. A’Hearn, and L. M. Feaga, “Deep impact MRI observations of comet Garradd (C/2009 P1),” Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 44(5), 506.05 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  12. P. D. Feldman, H. A. Weaver, M. F. A’Hearn, et al., “Ultraviolet spectroscopy comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) with the Hubble space telescope.” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.6165F/. Cited 2012.

  13. L. Gausset, G. Herzberg, A. Lagerqvist, and B. Rosen, “Analysis of the 4050 A Group of the C3 Molecule,” Astrophys. J. 142, 45–76 (1965).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. D. W. E. Green, “Comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd),” CBET, No. 1908 (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  15. E. Hadamcik, A. K. Sen, A. C. Levasseur-Regourd, et al., “Observations of the dust coma of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) by imaging polarimetry.” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.6200H/. Cited 2012.

  16. L. Haser, “Distribution d’intensite dans la tete d’une comete,” Bull. Acad. Roy. Belg., Classe des Sci. 43, 740–750 (1957).

    ADS  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  17. S. J. Kim, “Ultraviolet and visible spectroscopic database for atoms and molecules in celestial objects,” J. Korean Astron. Soc. 9, 111–166 (1994).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. P. P. Korsun and S. V. Lipatov, “Spectroscopic observations of comet P/Brorsen-Metcalf in the 3500–7550 A wavelength region,” Planet. Space Sci. 41(9), 669–675 (1993).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. R. L. Kurucz, I. Furenlid, J. Brault, and L. Testerman, Solar Flux Atlas from 296 to 1300 nm (National Solar Observatory, Sunspot, New Mexico, 1984).

    Google Scholar 

  20. L. E. Langland-Shula and G. H. Smith, “Comet classification with new methods for gas and dust spectroscopy,” Icarus 213, 280–322 (2011).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. J. Luque and D. R. Crosley, “LIFBASESRI,” Int. Report MP, 99–009.

  22. A. J. McKay, N. J. Chanover, M. A. DiSanti, et al., “Using atomic oxygen as a proxy for CO2 production in comets: Application to comets 103P/Hartley and C/2009 P1 Garradd.” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.6212M/. Cited 2012.

  23. J. B. Oke, “Faint spectrophotometric standard stars,” Astron. J. 99, 1621–1631 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. J. G. Phillips and S. P. Davis, The Swan System of the C 2 Molecule (Univ. California Press, Berkeley, Los Angeles, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  25. D. G. Schleicher, “The fluorescence efficiencies of the CN violet bands in comets,” Astron. J. 140, 973–984 (2010).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. R. Schulz, “Compositional coma investigations: Gas and dust production rates in comets,” Proc. IAU Symp. 229, 413–423 (2005).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. M. L. Sitko, R. W. Russell, C. E. Woodward, et al., “The grain albedo of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd).” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2013LPI....44.1154S/. Cited 2012.

  28. M. Tanigawa, T. Taniguchi, M. Terao, et al., “Photometric observations of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd).” http://labs.adsabs.harvard.edu/adsabs/abs/2012LPICo1667.6075T/. Cited 2012.

  29. G. L. Villanueva, M. J. Mummaa, M. A. DiSanti, et al., “A multi-instrument study of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) at 2.1 AU (pre-perihelion) from the Sun,” Icarus 220, 291–295 (2012).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Original Russian Text © O.S. Shubina, P.P. Korsun, V.L. Afanasiev, 2014, published in Kinematika i Fizika Nebesnykh Tel, 2014, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 27–41.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shubina, O.S., Korsun, P.P. & Afanasiev, V.L. Spectrum of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) in the optical wavelength range. Kinemat. Phys. Celest. Bodies 30, 276–287 (2014). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0884591314060063

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0884591314060063

Keywords

Navigation