Detection of C${}_3$ in Diffuse Interstellar Clouds

Abstract

The smallest polyatomic carbon chain, C${}_3$, has been identified in interstellar clouds (A${}_v\sim$1 mag) towards $\zeta$ Ophiuchi, 20 Aquilae, and $\zeta$ Persei by detection of the origin band in its $A^1{\Pi }_u-X^1{\Sigma }_g^{+}$ electronic transition, near 4052Å. Individual rotational lines were resolved up to $J$=30 enabling the rotational level column densities and temperature distributions to be determined. The inferred limits for the total column densities ($\sim$1 to 2$\times 10^{12}$ cm${}^{-2}$) offer a strong incentive to laboratory and astrophysical searches for the longer carbon chains. Concurrent searches for C${}_2^{+}$, C${}_2^{-}$ and C${}_3^{-}$ were negative but provide sensitive estimates for their maximum column densities.

14 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables. To appear in the Astrophysical Journal

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