Spectrophotometry of the comets C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) and C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang)

Abstract

Spectrophotometric observations of the coma of the comets C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) and C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) were taken during Nov, Dec 2001 and Mar, Apr 2002 respectively with 104-cm telescope of the State Observatory, Nainital. CN ($\lambda$ 3883 Å) and C${}_2$ swan bands ($\lambda$ 4695, $\lambda$ 5165 and $\lambda$ 5538 Å) have been identified in both the comets. Na I emission was detected in comet Ikeya-Zhang. An estimate of CN and C${}_2$ abundances and their production rates have been derived. Dust production rates have also been determined.

8 pages, 3 tables, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in BASI