Presumed Detection of C5 Molecule in the Interstellar Medium

Abstract

Abstract The paper suggests the presence of the carbon chain C5 molecule in translucent, interstellar H i clouds. This species, the only five atom interstellar molecule, observable in dark, translucent clouds, seems to be observable in reasonably dense clouds, causing also rather high reddening. The paper shows two likely discovered spectral features of C5, A 1 Π u − X 1 Σ g + bands near 4975 and 5109 Å. The attempt to discover the 3789 Å C4 feature gave the negative result.