PROPOSED IDENTIFICATION FOR THE (COMMON) CARRIER OF THE 4430-ANGSTROMAND 7565-ANGSTROM DIBS

For the first time a candidate for Diffuse Interstellar Band (DIB) car riers is found in the laboratory that has no internal conflict. Howeve r, the technique used cannot allow a definitive identification. UV irr adiated 1-methyl-pyrene in a Ne matrix produces a species, possibly 1- methylene-pyrene cation, whose main absorption bands are intriguingly close to the 4430 and 7565 Angstrom DIBs, and minor ones close to the 4176 and 4824 Angstrom DIBs. The relative intensities are the same as in the astronomical spectra and no extra bands are present. The Ne mat rix shifts cannot be precisely measured but they are estimated from da ta in Ar matrices. They are compatible with a full agreement between t he band positions of the free molecule and the DIB's, but do not estab lish it. Gas phase experiments are needed to make a definitive identif ication. Meanwhile, our proposal has a falsifiable implication: the 44 30 and 7565 Angstrom DIBs should be totally correlated in any line of sight.