Cometary Spectroscopy for Advanced Undergraduates

We are proposing a computational experiment for advanced undergraduate physical chemistry courses in which the student is introduced to spectroscopic observations of comets. Exposing students to such topics in astrophysics will not only introduce them to important and interesting problems but it will also solidify their understanding of spectroscopy. Band intensities in vibronic spectra are discussed and analytical equations for the calculation of Franck-Condon factors are provided. A simple model for the prediction of band intensities in comets is then introduced. The calculated Franck-Condon factors are used in this model to predict the band intensities of carbon monosulfide in Comet Hyakutake. To our knowledge, no other reported experiment incorporates spectroscopic principles and cometary observations. Since cometary observation merges the fields of spectroscopy and astrophysics, we believe that this experiment will diversify the knowledge base of physical chemistry students and expose them to a topic that they may otherwise never encounter.