The near ultraviolet spectra of comets P/Brorsen-Metcalf and Austin
Results are reported on spectrophotometric observations of comets P/Brorsen-Metcalf and Austin from 3000 to 3600 A at a spectral resolution of about 1.8 A. The strongest features are the OH(A-X) 0-0 and 1-1 bands, and the NH(A-X) 0-0 bands. For the first time, the OH(A-X) 0-1 band was clearly found. The existence of the CN(B-X) 2-1 and 3-2 bands were verified and measured. A feature at 3258 A that was first seen in uncalibrated spectra was detected, and was identified as the NH singlet (c-a) 0-0 transition. The CO2(+) features at 3378, 3504, and 3512 A were also firmly identified. This ion was reported as being present in the tail of Comet Bester (1984 I) by Swings and Page (1950). The identification of a weak feature at 3547 A was proposed as the fundamental transition of H2CO, which would make this the first optical cometary detection of this molecule which is very abundant in giant molecular clouds.