Polyatomic molecules, molecular ions, and radicals of astrophysical interest, i

Abstract

This paper has been devoted to basic molecular studies of polyatomics. A critical analysis of the 356 available references in literature has been made to select 98 polyatomic molecules, molecular ions, and radicals containing three, four, and five atoms of astrophysical significance. The results have been arranged in a text-cum-tabular form. The compilation contains various information for each molecule, such as the spectral region, transition levels, astrophysical objects, where the respective molecules have been detected (say, comet, meteorite, Sun, planet, star, interstellar matter, interstellar cloud, molecular cloud, interstellar space, Galaxy, etc.).

A few important areas of active research in laboratory astrophysics have also been identified in this article: laboratory astrophysics, molecular cloud chemistry, isotopic abundance, planetary and cometary atmospheres through satellites. Seventy-five new polyatomic molecules (containing three, four, and five atoms) of astrophysical significance have also been listed.