Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2016
Cometary water, the main constituent of nucleus ices, is difficult to observe directly. Breakthroughs were made recently using new ground based infrared instruments and space techniques (ISO and SWAS) on comets C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake), C/1995 01 (Hale-Bopp), 103P/Hartley 2, and C/1999 H1 (Lee): observations of water hot bands, of water rotational lines, and measurements of the [D]/[H] ratio and ortho-to-para ratio of water. We discuss the laboratory data necessary to model the water spectrum and to interpret these observations.