Study of the spectrum of Comet West, 1976 VI

The results of a spectrographic survey of Comet West, 1976 VI are reported. The scan covered the head, separate nuclei and the tail at a spectral resolution of 5-10 A. The D nucleus emission was consistently brighter than the B nucleus due to varying degrees of ice coverage in the comet. The CN and C2 lines were of equal intensity for nuclei A and D while weaker emissions exhibited differences. The tail had a continuous spectrum that tapered in intensity with distance from the nucleus. The CO(+), H2O(+), N2(2), CH(+), C3 and C2 emissions were strong in the tail. The vibrational temperature and transition probability for the C2 molecule were calculated from the observed flux at 5165 A. Finally, CO(+) and H2O(+) emissions first increased in intensity and then decreased in the tail, which displayed an abundance of water vapor.