Abstract
We report spectra from 3000 to 5900 Å for comet 96P/Machholz, obtained on 2007 April 27 UT with the 3 m Shane telescope at Lick Observatory. The spectra are extremely carbon-poor, and they show a prominent NH2 series but no CN emission. NH, NH2, and C2 gas production rates are (8.36 ± 2.18) × 1025, (29.88 ± 3.66) × 1025, and (4.52 ± 0.61) × 1023 molecules s-1, respectively, as determined from Haser model fits to the data. Upper limits to the gas production rates for CN and C3 are 7.5 × 1022 and 2.0 × 1023, respectively. Although 96P is depleted in C2 and C3 relative to NH, it is even more depleted in CN than other so-called carbon chain-depleted comets.
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