The Open Astronomy Journal

2009, 2 : 48-57
Published online 2009 May 15. DOI: 10.2174/1874381100902010048
Publisher ID: TOAAJ-2-48

On the Relationship Between Red Rectangle and Diffuse Interstellar Bands

Frédéric Zagury
Institut Louis de Broglie, 23 rue Marsoulan, 75012 Paris, France.

ABSTRACT

A careful examination of Red Rectangle bands which have been considered as diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in emission shows that a few are likely to be artifacts in the spectrum. Some others result from atmospheric extinction. Consequences for the Red Rectangle band/DIB associations are examined.

I will also comment a striking resemblance between the DIB spectrum and the spectrum of NO2 in the 6150-6250 Å region. This suggests that some DIBs could be provoked by atmospheric molecules.

Keywords:

Atmospheric effects, ISM: lines and bands, planetary nebulae: general.