Spectrophotometric observations of P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 during outburst

Spectra of Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 were obtained on November 26-27, 1978 and February 15, 1979 using the Cassegrain Digicon spectrograph, and on February 21-23, 1979 using the IDS spectrograph of McDonald Observatory. All spectra were obtained while the comet was in an extended series of outburst (12th-13th mag). The spectra were predominantly reflected solar light, indicating the outburst was very rich in dust. Weak emission between 4000 and 4050 A, and between 4240 and 4290 A was detected in November 1978 and is probably due to CO(+). These outbursts, and the detection of CO(+), indicate that comets are not inactive at distances as great as 6 AU.