Visible and near-ultraviolet molecular hydrogen emission from the Tara Tandem Mirror central cell plasma was investigated in order to determine molecular densities, ionization rates, and continuum dissociation rates. Measurements of H{sub 2} {ital G}{r_arrow}{ital B} band emission were used to infer spatial density and ionization profiles, maximum densities of 4{times}10{sup 12} cm{sup {minus}3} at the gas injection port, and a total molecular ionization rate of 254 A. Continuum emission in the near ultraviolet was identified as the H{sub 2} dissociative continuum through its wavelength distribution, time behavior, and intensity. Wavelength-integrated continuum emission measurements were used to obtain the dissociation rate associated with the continuum: 6 A. The power expended in molecular ionization, dissociation, and radiation is estimated to be 8.4 kW out of 300 kW of rf power injected.