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[44.05] Spectroscopy of comets 9P/Tempel 1 and C/Machholz (2004 Q2) in the 3-micron region using NIRSPEC

K. Magee-Sauer (Rowan Univ.), M. J. Mumma, B. P. Bonev, M. A. DiSanti (NASA's GSFC), N. Dello Russo (JHU-APL), D. P. Stark, R. S. Ellis (Caltech), G. Villanueva (NASA's GSFC), J. Feuss (Rowan Univ.), E. L. Gibb (Notre Dame)

We present quantitative measurements of organic volatiles in 9P/Tempel 1 obtained with NIRSPEC at Keck-2 on Mauna Kea. Pre-impact measurements were obtained UT 2005 June 3.4 where upper limits for abundances were determined. Observations are scheduled for the impact event and the two nights post-impact. The NIRSPEC instrument is a cross-dispersed cryogenic infrared spectrometer that permits a nearly complete high-dispersion survey of the 2.9 - 3.7 micron region. The 3-micron region (KL2 filter, order 25) has signatures from numerous cometary molecules, including H₂O, C₂H₂, HCN, NH₃, NH₂, and OH.

Observations of C/Machholz (2004 Q2) were obtained using NIRSPEC on UT 2004 Nov 28.5 and UT 2005 Jan 18.8. Clear detections of all volatiles were achieved. Spectra, production rates, relative abundances, and rotational temperatures will be presented.

KM-S would like to acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation RUI Program.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.