Charged particle multiplicities at BRAHMS

Charged particle pseudorapidity densities are presented for the 197Au+197Au reaction at $$\sqrt {s_{NN} } = 130$$ . These densities provide an essential characterization of the underlying reactions mechanisms for ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collision. This talk details how the global charged particle yields are measured at BRAHMS and presents some preliminary results from the analysis of data taken during the first year of the RHIC experimental program.