The Open Astronomy Journal

2009, 2 : 58-62
Published online 2009 June 30. DOI: 10.2174/1874381100902010058
Publisher ID: TOAAJ-2-58

Sidelight on the Diffuse Interstellar Bands Problem

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

ABSTRACT

I investigate the conditions upon which atmospheric absorption may participate to the observation of a diffuse interstellar band (DIB), and the implications it would have. A necessary condition is that the spectrum of reddened stars comprises a few percent of starlight forward scattered by the interstellar cloud on the line of sight. Reciprocally, this scattered starlight could, in part, explain the complexity of the DIB spectrum and several observed DIB properties. It will also affect the interstellar extinction curve and the value of the RV parameter.

Keywords:

Atmospheric effects, ISM: dust, extinction.