Abstract
Rotationally resolved molecular hydrogen transitions originating from excitation of highly excited rovibrational levels of the X 1Σ state have been systematically identified for the first time in the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observation of comets C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR) and C/2001 A2 (LINEAR). Spectral assignments for the observed lines of H2 and other atomic and molecular species are given. All observed H2 transitions belong to the Lyman (B 1Σ-X 1Σ) and Werner (C 1Πu-X 1Σ) band systems. Solar Lyα fluorescence excitation of highly rovibrationally excited H2 X 1Σ is found to be almost solely responsible for the observed H 2 emission. Resonant excitation of H2 by Lyβ and other solar lines is very limited.
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