Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tentative identification of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands and of a diffuse interstellar doublet line

  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The four diffuse interstellar absorption bands at λ4430, λ4760, λ4890, and λ6180 and the two diffuse lines at λ5780 and λ5797 are interpreted as belonging to pre-ionization transitions in H− and O−, respectively. In both cases the identifications are supported by extrapolations of wave numbers of resonance lines along isoelectronic sequences.

In the H− case the hypothesis as to the origin of the bands is supported by quantum-mechanical results byHerzenberg andMandl (1963) as to the positions of resonances in collisions between neutral hydrogen atoms and free electrons. The relatively large intensities of the forbidden transitions indicate that the extent of the ion in its excited states may be very large as compared to ordinary atomic dimensions. In the O− case the relative doublet separation, as extrapolated along the isoelectronic sequence, is used for the identification of the doublet.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bethe, H. A. andSalpeter, E. E.: 1957, PH Vol. XXXV., Sect. 66.

  • Branscomb, L. M. et al.: 1958,Phys. Rev. 111, 504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edlén, B.: 1964, PH XXVII, 199.

  • Heger, M. L.: 1921,Lick Obs. Bull. 10, 146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbig, G. H.: 1967, inIAU Symposium No. 31, p. 85.

  • Herzberg, G.: 1955, inLes particules solides dans les astres, Sixième Colloque Int. Astrophys. Liège, Mém. Soc. R. Sci. Liège, 4eme Sér.,15, p. 291.

  • Herzenberg, A. andMandl, F.: 1963,Proc. Roy. Soc. 274, 253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrill, P. W.: 1936,Astrophys. J. 83, 126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrill, P. W. andWilson, O. C.: 1938,Astrophys. J. 87, 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, C. E.: 1949,Circ. of the Nat. Bur. of Standards 467, Washington.

  • Nandy, K.: 1964,Edinburgh Publ. 3, No. 6.

  • Walker, G. A. H.: 1966,Observatory 86, 117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R.: 1958,Astrophys. J. 128, 57.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ole Roemer Observatory, University of Aarhus, Denmark

    Mogens Rudkjøbing

Authors
  1. Mogens Rudkjøbing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rudkjøbing, M. Tentative identification of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands and of a diffuse interstellar doublet line. Astrophys Space Sci 3, 102–108 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00649596

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00649596

Keywords

Search

Navigation