Observations of the coma of comet P/Halley and the outburst of 1986 March 24–25 (UT)

Observations using a fast CCD and custom built Video Data Acquisition System at the Nasmyth focus of the 2.3 meter telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia produced digitized spectra and images of comet Halley. On March 25 (UT), an overall brightening and anti-sunward jet was recorded continuously over several hours and is shown to be consistent with the enhanced spectral activity recorded on March 24 (UT). The outburst and is consistent with the Giotto measurements. Preliminary analysis of the spectral enhancement of March 24 is presented. The time resolution system allowed a spectral range from 3800A to 7000A to be analyzed every 1/2 s. Indications of unexplained rapid variations in several molecular emmission band persist and are noted.