THE SPATIAL SODIUM DISTRIBUTION IN THE COMA OF COMET HALE-BOPP (C 1995-01)/

Long-slit spectra of sodium D-line emission in the coma of comet Hale- Bopp (C/1995 O1) have been obtained on 14 March and 16 April 1997 from the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, France, and the William Herschel Telescope on La Palma, Spain. The spectra show Na spatial profiles wit hin approximate to 2.5 10(5) km from the nucleus along and perpendicul ar to the sun-comet line. In both observing periods secondary maxima a re present, indicating spatial structures in the coma sodium distribut ion. A comparison with the structures seen in the cometary dust contin uum is made. A Na production rate of approximate to 3 10(24) - 5 10(25 ) s(-1) could be derived on March 14, 1997, corresponding to less than 0.3% of the normal cosmic abundance ratio Na/O.