Luminescent continuum and other spectral features of comets C/2007 N3 (Lulin)

Abstract

The results of the observations and studies of the comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin) on the optical spectra of medium resolution. Spectra were obtained using 23-25.02.2009, the 2nd telescope Zeiss (F_1=6.3 m; F_2=16 m) at high mountain astronomical station “Terskol” Main Astronomical Observatory, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Institute of Astronomy of the RAS. With a resolution of λ/Δ λ = 3500 (echelle) obtained 7 spectra of the comet (3780–7600 ÅÅ) with exposure to T=3600 s. The comet was at heliocentric distance r=1.38 AU and geocentric – Δ=0.41 AU had the integral magnitude equal to m_1 = 6^m, the phase angle was S-O-T=10°, elongation angle S-O-T=165°, position angle α=292°. Identified on the spectral emission lines. The spectra were examined for the presence luminescent continuum. Determined some physical parameters of luminescent continuum and some other physical parameters of the neutral coma of the comet. The dependence of the change in albedo on wavelength was obtained.

Keywords

• comet C/2007 N3 (Lulin)
• spectrum
• emission lines
• luminescent continuum