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Related Experiment Videos

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ions and the diffuse interstellar bands.

F Salama1, L J Allamandola

  • 1NASA-Ames Research Center, Space Science Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|March 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cations, like naphthalene cation (C10H8+) and pyrene cation (C16H10+), show absorption bands that may explain diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). These findings suggest PAHs could play a role in cosmic carbon and energy conversion.

Area of Science:

  • Astrochemistry
  • Interstellar Medium Physics
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are abundant in space and absorb UV light.
  • The diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are spectral features of unknown origin in astronomical observations.
  • The cations of PAHs exhibit absorption in the visible spectrum, prompting investigation into their role in DIBs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential contribution of naphthalene cation (C10H8+) and pyrene cation (C16H10+) to observed diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).
  • To analyze the spectral properties of PAH cations and compare them with known DIBs.
  • To explore the role of PAHs in the energy balance of the interstellar medium.

Main Methods:

  • Spectroscopic analysis of neutral and ionized PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene) in laboratory conditions (Ar and Ne matrices).
Keywords:
NASA Center ARCNASA Discipline ExobiologyNASA Discipline Number 52-10NASA Program Exobiology

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparison of measured absorption spectra of PAH cations with astronomical observations of DIBs.
  • Estimation of the cosmic abundance of identified PAH candidates based on their spectral contributions.

    • Main Results:

    • Naphthalene cation (C10H8+) exhibits 12 absorption bands in the visible spectrum, with the strongest at 6741 angstroms, closely matching the DIB at 6742 angstroms.
    • Pyrene cation (C16H10+) shows a strong absorption band at approximately 4430 angstroms, coinciding with the strongest known DIB.
    • Both PAH cations display a broad UV-to-visible continuum, potentially explaining the conversion of interstellar radiation into infrared energy.

    Conclusions:

    • Naphthalene cation (C10H8+) is a plausible candidate for contributing to the 6742 angstroms DIB, accounting for 0.3% of cosmic carbon.
    • Pyrene cation (C16H10+) or similar ions are strong candidates for the 4430 angstroms DIB, representing 0.2% of cosmic carbon.
    • PAH cations and their associated continuum emission likely play a significant role in the energy processing within the interstellar medium.