(entries added or altered in the last month are highlighted)

LIST OF COMETARY MOLECULES:
The Cosmic Ice Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

NOTES: Identifications explicitly considered to be tentative are
indicated with italics; recent detections are implicitly tentative.

YEAR
 SPECIES
 CITATION
 SOURCE AND LINES
1881 CN
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR JUN 2008		 Preliminary Notes on the Photographic Spectrum of Comet 1881b
W. Huggins, Proc Roy Soc 33:1 (1882)
Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)
D. C. Lis, M. Gardner, T. G. Phillips, D. Bockelée-Morvan, N. Biver, J. Crovisier, H. Rauer, P. Colom, D. Gautier, and D. Despois, IAUC 6573 (1997)		 1881b
???
Hale-Bopp
N(J) = 2(5/2)-1(3/2) (226.87 GHz)
1881 C3
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR FEB 2008		 Preliminary Notes on the Photographic Spectrum of Comet 1881b
W. Huggins, Proc Roy Soc 33:1 (1882) 		1881b
???
1881 C2 Preliminary Results on the Photographic Spectrum of Comet 1881b
W. Huggins, Proc Royal Soc 33:1 (1882)		 1881b
???
1910 N2+ Investigations Relating to the Spectra of Comets
A. Fowler, MNRAS 70:484-496 (1910)		 Daniel, Morehouse
1N B 2Σu+ - X 1Σg+
(0-0) band at 3914 Å
1910 CO+ Investigations Relating to the Spectra of Comets
A. Fowler, MNRAS 70:484-496 (1910)		 Daniel, Morehouse
???
1938 CH
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR MAY 2005		 Les Bandes de CH et la Présence de l'Hydrogène dans les Comètes
M. Nicolet, Zeitschrift für Astrophysik 15:154 (1938)
CH Bands in Comet Spectra
J. Dufay, ApJ 91:91-102 (1940)		 Various
line at 4300 Å
1941 NH The Spectrum of Comet Cunningham, 1940c
P. Swings, C. T. Elvey, and H. W. Babcock, ApJ 94:320-343(1943)		 Cunningham
A 3Πi - X 3Σ- lines
3350-3372 Å
1941 OH
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR FEB 2009		 The Spectrum of Comet Cunningham, 1940c
P. Swings, C. T. Elvey, and H. W. Babcock, ApJ 94:320-343(1943)		 Cunningham
A 2Σ+ - X 2Πi lines
3079-3211 Å
1942 CH+
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR APR 2007		 Considerations Regarding Cometary and Interstellar Molecules
P. Swings, ApJ 95:270-280 (1942)		 Various
three branches of the (0,0) band
at 4231, 4238.5, and 4254.4 Å
1943 NH2 Cometary Emission Spectra in the Visual Region
P. Swings, A. McKellar, and R. Minkowski, ApJ 98:142-153 (1943)		 Various
A 2A2 X 2B2 band system
1950 OH+ The Spectrum of Comet Bester (1947k
P. Swings and T. Page, ApJ 111:530-153 (1950)		 Bester
A 3Πi - 3Σ+ features
1950 CO2+ The Spectrum of Comet Bester (1947k
P. Swings and T. Page, ApJ 111:530-153 (1950)		 Bester
UV and visible features
1974 CH3CN
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR SEP 2008		 Detection of Methyl Cyanide in Comet Kohoutek
B. L. Ulick and E. K. Conklin, Nature 248:121 (1974)		 Kohoutek
???
1974 H2O+ Spectroscopic Observations of Comet Kohoutek (1973f)
P. Benvenuti and K. Wurm, A&A 31:121-122 (1974)
Tentative Identffication of the H2O+ Ion in Comet Kohoutek
G. Herzberg and H. Lew, A&A 31:123-124 (1974)
Identification of H2O+ in the Tail of Comet Kohoutek (1973f)
P. A. Wehinger, S. Wyckoff, G. H. Herbig, G. Herzberg, and H. Lew, ApJ 190:L43-L46 (1974)		 Kohoutek
A 2A1 X 2B1 band system
1974 HCN HCN Radio Emission from Comet Kohoutek (1973f)
W. F. Huebner, L. E. Snyder, and D. Buhl, Icarus 23:580-584 (1974)		 Kohoutek
J=1-0 (88.6 GHz)
1976 CO
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR JUN 2003		 Carbon Production in Comet West 1975n
P. D. Feldman and W. H. Brune ApJ 209:L45-L48 (1976)
Coma Formation Driven by Carbon-Monoxide Release from Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 1
M. C. Senay and D. Jewitt, Nature 371:229 (1994)
 West
(1,0) 1510 Å
Schwassmann-Wachmann
???
1980 CS
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR SEP 2006		 Production of Carbon, Sulfur, and CS in Comet West
A. M. Smith, T. P. Stecher, and L. Casswell, ApJ 242:402-410 (1980)		 West
UV bands in the 1620-3960 Å range
1980 CN+ Production of Carbon, Sulfur, and CS in Comet West
A. M. Smith, T. P. Stecher, and L. Casswell, ApJ 242:402-410 (1980)		 West
???
1983 NH3
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR FEB 2010		 Radio observations of Comet 1983 D
W. J. Altenhoff, W. K. Batrla, W. K. Huchtmeier, J. Schmidt, P. Stumpff, and W. Walmsley, A&A 125:L19-L22 (1983)		 IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
(3,3) inversion transition (23.9 GHz)
1983 S2 The discovery of S2 in comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
M. F. A'Hearn, D. G. Schleicher, and P. D. Feldman, ApJ 274:L99-L103 (1983)		 IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
various UV bands
1984 HCO
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR DEC 2008		 Detection of New Molecules in the Visible Spectrum of Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d)
C. B. Cosmovici and S. Ortolani, Nature 310:122-124 (1984)		 IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
visible bands
1984 H2S+ Detection of New Molecules in the Visible Spectrum of Comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock (1983d)
C. B. Cosmovici and S. Ortolani, Nature 310:122-124 (1984)		 IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
visible bands
1984 S2 The discovery of S2 in comet IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
M. F. A'Hearn, D. G. Schleicher, and P. D. Feldman, ApJ 274:L99-L103 (1983)		 IRAS-Araki-Alcock 1983d
various UV bands
1986 CO2 Detection of Water Vapor in Halley's Comet
M. Combes, V.I. Moroz, J. F. Crifo, J. M. Lamarre, J. Charra, N. F. Sanko, A. Soufflot, J. P. Bibring, S. Cazes, N. Coron, J. Crovisier, C. Emerich, T. Encrenaz, R. Gispert, A. V. Grigoryev, G. Guyot, V. A. Krasnopolsky, Y. Nikolsky, and F. Rocard, Nature 321:266-268 (1986)		 Halley
fluorescence signature
1986 H2O Detection of Water Vapor in Halley's Comet
M. J. Mumma, H. A. Weaver, H. P. Larson, M. Williams, and D. S. Davis, Science 232:1523-1528 (1986)		 Halley
nine rotational lines at 2.65 μm
1987 NO Some Diatomic Molecules from Comet P/Halley's UV Spectra Near Spacecraft Flybys
M. K. Wallis and K. S. Krishna Swamy, A&A 187:329-332 (1987)		 Halley
(0,0) γ-band at 226.3 nm
1987 SH Some Diatomic Molecules from Comet P/Halley's UV Spectra Near Spacecraft Flybys
M. K. Wallis and K. S. Krishna Swamy, A&A 187:329-332 (1987)		 Halley
possible B-X system bands
1989 H2CO
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR DEC 2005		 Radio Detection of Formaldehyde Emission from Comet Halley
L. E. Snyder, P. Palmer, and I. de Pater, AJ 97:243-253 (1989)
Formaldehyde in Comets. I - Microwave Observations of P/Brorsen-Metcalf (1989 X), Austin (1990 V) and Levy (1990 XX)
P. Colom, J. Crovisier, D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. Despois, and G. Paubert, A&A 264:270-281 (1981)		 Halley
JK-1 K1 = 111 - 110 (4429.659 MHz)
Austin, Levy
3(12)-2(11) (226 GHz)
1991 NCN New ultraviolet spectroscopic features found in Comet Brorsen-Metcalf (1989o)
C. R. O'Dell, C. O. Miller, A. L. Cochran, W. D. Cochran, C. B. Opal, and E. S. Barker, ApJ 368:616-621 (1991)
Near-Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Comet Austin (1989c1)
J. H. Valk, C. R. O'Dell, A. L. Cochran, W. D. Cochran, C. B. Opal, and E. S. Barker, ApJ 388:621-632 (1992)		 Brorsen-Metcalf, Austin
A 3Πu - X 3Σg- lines
at 3284 and 3290 Å
1991 H2S
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR NOV 2009		 Microwave Detection of Hydrogen Sulphide and Methanol in Comet Austin (1989c1)
D. Bockelée-Morvan, P. Colom, J. Crovisier, D. Despois, and G. Paubert, Nature 350:318-320 (1991)		 Austin
101 - 110 (168.762 GHz)
1991 CH3OH
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR APR 2006		 Microwave Detection of Hydrogen Sulphide and Methanol in Comet Austin (1989c1)
D. Bockelée-Morvan, P. Colom, J. Crovisier, D. Despois, and G. Paubert, Nature 350:318-320 (1991)		 Austin
4 lines (96.7 GHz)
8 lines (145 GHz)
1994 C14H10 Detection of a polycyclic aromatic molecule in comet P/Halley
G. Moreels, J. Clairemidi, P. Hermine, P. Brechignac, and P. Rousselot, A&A 282:643-656 (1994)		 Halley
UV bands at 347, 356, 364 and 374 nm
1995 H3O+
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR FEB 2006		 D/H and O-18/O-16 Ratio in the Hydronium Ion and in Neutral Water from in situ Ion Measurements in Comet Halley
H. Balsiger, K. Altwegg, and J. Geiss, J Geophys Res 100:5827-5834 (1995)
Deep Space 1 Encounter with Comet 19P/Borrelly: Ion Composition Measurements by the PEPE Mass Spectrometer
J. E. Nordholt,D. B. Reisenfeld, R. C. Wiens, S. P. Gary, F. Crary, D. M. Delapp, R. C. Elphic, H. O. Funsten, J. J. Hanley, D. J. Lawrence, D. J. McComas, M. Shappirio, J. T. Steinberg, J. Wang, and D. T. Young, Geophy Res Lett 30:1465 (2003).		 Halley
???
1996 HNC Spectroscopic evidence for interstellar ices in Comet Hyakutake
W. Irvine, D. Bockelée-Morvan, D.C. Lis, H. E. Matthews, N. Biver, J. Crovisier, J. K. Davies, W. R. F. Dent, D. Gautier, P. D. Godfrey, J. Keene, A. J. Lowell, T. C. Owen, T. G. Phillips, H. Rauer, F. P. Schloerb, M. Senay, and K. Young, Nature 382:418-420 (1996)		 Hyakutake
J = 4-3 (362.630092 GHz)
1996 CH4 Detection of Abundant Ethane and Methane, Along with Carbon Monoxide and Water, in Comet C/1996 B2 Hyakutake: Evidence for Interstellar Origin
M. J. Mumma, M. A. DiSanti, N. Dello Russo, M. Fomenkova, K. Magee-Sauer, C. D. Kaminski, and D. X. Xie, Science 272:1310-1314 (1996)		 Hyakutake
???
1996 C2H6 Detection of Abundant Ethane and Methane, Along with Carbon Monoxide and Water, in Comet C/1996 B2 Hyakutake: Evidence for Interstellar Origin
M. J. Mumma, M. A. DiSanti, N. Dello Russo, M. Fomenkova, K. Magee-Sauer, C. D. Kaminski, and D. X. Xie, Science 272:1310-1314 (1996)		 Hyakutake
???
1996 C2H2 Detection of Acetylene in the Infrared Spectrum of Comet Hyakutake
T. Y. Brooke, A. T. Tokunaga, H. A. Weaver, J. Crovisier, D. Bockelée-Morvan, and D. Crisp, Nature 383:606 (1996)		 Hyakutake
3 P5 (3282.990 cm-1)
3 P4 (3285.377 cm-1)
3 P3 (3287.756 cm-1)
1997 HCO+ COMET C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)
J. M. Veal,L. E. Snyder, M. C. H. Wright, J. R. Forster, W. Hoffman, M. Pound, I. de Pater, T. Helfer, R. L. Plambeck, G. Engargiola, and T. Wong, L. M. Woodney, M. F. A'Hearn, P. Palmer, Y.-J. Kuan, IAUC 6575 (1997)
HCO+ Imaging of Comet C/Hale-Bopp 1995 O1
A. J. Lovell, F. P. Schloerb, J. E. Dickens, C. H. DeVries, M. C. Senay, and W. M. Irvine, ApJ 497:L117-L121 (1998)		 Hale-Bopp
J=1-0 (89.189 GHz)
1997 H2CS
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR MAR 2005		 COMET C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)
L. M. Woodney, J. McMullin, M. F. A'Hearn, and N. Samarasinha, IAUC 6607 (1997)
Hale-Bopp
J(12-11) (145.95 GHz)
1997 OCS
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR SEP 2005		 Detection of OCS in comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2)
L. M. Woodney, J. McMullin, and M. F. A'Hearn, P&SS 45:717-719 (1997)		 Hale-Bopp
7(16)-6(15) (244.0478 GHz)
1997 HNCO
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR APR 2004		 Spectroscopic Observations of Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory
D. C. Lis, J. Keene, K. Young, T. G. Phillips, D. Bockelée-Morvan, J. Crovisier, P. Schilke, P. F. Goldsmith and E. A. Bergin, Icarus 130:355-272 (1997)		 Hyakutake
160,16-150,15 ()
1998 HDO Deuterated Water in Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake) and Its Implications for the Origin of Comets
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. Gautier, D. C. Lis, K. Young, J. Keene, T. Phillips, T. Owen, J. Crovisier, P. F. Goldsmith, E. A. Bergin, D. Despois, and A. Wootten, Icarus 133:147-162 (1998)		 Hyakutake
101-000 transition (464.925 GHz)
2000 SO2 ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR AUG 2003 New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
11(1,11)-10(0,10) (221.965 GHz)
2000 SO New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2000 HC3N New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2000 NH2CHO
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR JAN 2005		 New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2000 HCOOH
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR MAY 2004		 New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2000 HCOOCH3 New molecules found in comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Investigating the link between cometary and interstellar material
D. Bockelée-Morvan, D. C. Lis, J. E. Wink, D. Despois, J. Crovisier, R. Bachiller, D. J. Benford, N. Biver, P. Colom, J. K. Davies, E. Gérard, B. Germain, M. Houde, D. Mehringer, R. Moreno, G. Paubert, T. G. Phillips, and H. Rauer, A&A 353:1101-1114 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2000 NS
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR APR 2010		 Detection of Nitrogen Sulfide in Comet Hale-Bopp
W. M. Irvine, M. Senay, A. J. Lovell, H. E. Matthews, D. McGonagle, and R. Meier, Icarus 143:412-414 (2000)		 Hale-Bopp
6 rotational lines around 346 GHz
2002 H2 Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Observations of CO and H2 Emission in Comet C/2001 A2 (LINEAR)
P. D. Feldman, H. A. Weaver, and E. B. Burgh, ApJ 576:L91-L94 (2002)		 LINEAR
Lyman system lines at
1071.6, 1118.6, and 1166.8 Å
2004 HOCH2CH2OH
ASTROMOLECULE OF THE MONTH FOR DEC 2003		 Ethylene Glycol in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)
J. Crovisier, D. Bockelée-Morvan, N. Biver, P. Colom, D. Despois, and D. C. Lis, A&A 418:L35-L38 (2004)		 Hale-Bopp
17 rotational lines
2004 HCOCH3 The Composition of Ices in Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) from Radio Spectroscopy. Further Results and Upper Limits on Undetected Species
J. Crovisier, D. Bockelée-Morvan, P. Colom, N. Biver, N. Biver, D. Despois, and D. C. Lis, A&A 418:1141-1157 (2004)		 Hale-Bopp
???
2004 CS2 Using the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrum of Comet 122P/de Vico to Identify the Parent Molecule CS2
W. M. Jackson, A. Scodinu, D. Xu, and A. L. Cochran, ApJ 607:L139-L141 (2004)		 de Vico
UV-vis fluorescence
2004 C16H10 Tentative Identification of Pyrene as a Polycyclic Aromatic Molecule in UV Spectra of Comet P/Halley: An Emission from 368 to 384 nm
J. Clairemidi, P. Br&eacuate;chignac, G. Moreels, and D. Pautet, P&SS 52:761-772 (2004)		 Halley
UV bands from 368-384 nm
2008 C14H10 Identification of anthracene in Comet 1P/Halley
J. Clairemidi, G. Moreels, O. Mousis, and P. Bréchignac, A&A 492:245-250 (2008).		 Halley
UV peaks at 363, 367.5, 373
and 382.5 nm

UV-vis (electronic excitations)      mm/sub-mm (rotational excitations)      infrared (vibrational excitations)

Maintained by DE Woon
Updated 1 April 2010