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N. Dello Russo (GSFC / CUA), M. J. Mumma (GSFC), M. A. DiSanti (GSFC / CUA), K. Magee-Sauer (Rowan U.)
The volatile organic composition of long-period comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR) was investigated at infrared wavelengths using NIRSPEC at the Keck Observatory. Comet A2 was observed on four dates post-perihelion (UT 2001 July 9, July 10, August 4, and August 10) when the heliocentric distance of the comet ranged from 1.16-1.59 AU. High resolution spectra were obtained (R ~ 20000) revealing emissions from H2O, CO, CH3OH, CH4, C2H6, C2H2, HCN, and OH. Preliminary results in the 3.33-3.53 micron region indicate high C2H6/H2O and C2H6/CH3OH ratios in A2 compared to previously studied comets. Spectra, preliminary production rates and relative abundances for C2H6, CH4, CH3OH, and H2O will be presented. This work is supported by NASA's Planetary Atmospheres and Planetary Astronomy programs (grants NAG5-7753, NAG5-10795, and NCC5-445).