C/2013R1(Lovejoy)

[Jack Martin]

Here is the spectrum towards the blue end 3900-5200A (calibrated from H and K lines of the Sun) taken on 20/12/13 from 04.36 GMT a 1 hour exposure through a Lhires III spectrograph with a 300g/mm grating Celestron C11 Paramount MX.

C2 peaks are visible at 5165 and 4737 Angstroms the other peaks are light pollution.

This is my first attempt at the spectrum of a Comet.

Many thanks tio John Strachan for processing my image.

Regards,

Jack

William Huggins Spectroscopic Observatory

[Jack Martin]

Don't know what went wrong with previous upload but here it is.

Jack

[Gasman]

Hi Jack

Thats a nice, clear and detailed profile. It seems an unusual shape and I wondered what caused the `hump` between 4600 and 4700 with the 4 peaks. Have you tried subtracting a G2V spectrum from it at all?

regards

Steve

[Jack Martin]

Steve,

Betwen 4600 and 4700 appears to be C2 4737 A.

Yes John subtracted the Sun.

Regards,

Jack

[robin_astro]

Nice result Jack,

The classic shape of the molecular bands show up well.  Here are a few more Lovejoy spectra for comparison

http://www.spectro-aras.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=735

Cheers

Robin

[Jack Martin]

Robin,

My result looks very similar to those posted in the link.

How or where does Christian get the identifications for the molecular bands?

Many thanks,

Jack

[robin_astro]

Hi Jack,

Not sure where Christian gets his data.  Here is a high resolution atlas of cometary lines

http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/comet/echelle.html

but it is a bit of an overkill for this application as it shows the individual lines in the bands

Cheers

Robin

[Jack Martin]

Robin,

Thanks for the link.

Regards,

Jack

[nytecam]

Robin,

Thanks for the link. Regards,

Jack

Nice work Jack - I see you've got some high tech gear nowadays - well done :-)