Bright Comet 1995 Q1

This image shows the first spectrum obtained of the comet 1995 Q1. The spectral coverage extends from about 3650 Angstrom (left) to 4100 Angstrom (right) in the violet region. The spectrograph slit was oriented along the main tail at position angle ~ 145 degrees. The total slit length was 5.6 arcminutes. The spectrum is typical for a comet at Comet Bradfield's current distance from the Sun (0.5 A.U., or about 75 million kilometres).