Abstract
A BROAD absorption feature centred on λ2, 200Å with a half-width of ∼ 300Å appears in the spectra of reddened stars1–3. This conspicuous feature in the interstellar extinction curve, might hold an important clue to the identity of a major component of interstellar matter, but it has defied identification for over a decade. Here we identify this band as representing the integrated effect of a set of bicyclic compounds, each with the empirical formula C8H6N2. Such nitrogenated structures could form in stellar mass flows of the type which we have also discussed4. A significant mass fraction of all interstellar material might exist in this form.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Stecher, T. P. Astrophys. J. 157, L125 (1969).
Bless, R. C. & Savage, D. Astrophys. J. 171, 193 (1972).
Witt, A. N. & Lillie, C. F. in Scientific Results from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO-2 (ed. Code, A. (NASA SP-310, 1972)).
Hoyle, F. & Wickramasinghe, N. C. Nature (in the press).
Gilra, D. P. in Scientific Results from the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO-2 (ed. Code, A.) (BASA SP-310) (1972).
Hoyle, F. & Wickramasinghe, N. C. Nature 266, 241–242 (1977).
UV Atlas of Organic Compounds (Butterworths, London, 1966).
Sakata, A. et al. Nature 266, 241 (1977).
Hayatsu, R. Science 146, 1291 (1964).
Hayatsu, R., Studier, M. H., Oda, A., Fuse, K. & Anders, E. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 32, 175 (1968).
Folsome, C. E., Lawless, J. G., Romiez, M. & Ponnamperuma, C. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 37, 455 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HOYLE, F., WICKRAMASINGHE, N. Identification of the λ2, 200Å interstellar absorption feature. Nature 270, 323–324 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/270323a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/270323a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.