High-resolution Infrared Space Observatory spectroscopy of the unidentified 21 micron feature

Citation
K. Volk et al., High-resolution Infrared Space Observatory spectroscopy of the unidentified 21 micron feature, ASTROPHYS J, 516(2), 1999, pp. L99-L102
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0004637X → ACNP
Volume
516
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Part
2
Pages
L99 - L102
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-637X(19990510)516:2<L99:HISOSO>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
We present Infrared Space Observatory SWS06 mode observations of the 21 mu m feature in eight sources, including a first detection of the feature in I RAS Z02229+6208. The observed feature peak-to-continuum ratios range from 0 .13 in IRAS Z02229+6208 to 1.30 in IRAS 07134+1005. The normalized spectra, obtained by the removal of the underlying continua and by scaling the feat ures to the same peak flux value, show that all features have the same intr insic profile and peak wavelength. Then is no evidence for any discrete sub structure due to molecular bands in the observed spectra, suggesting that t he 21 mu m feature is due to either a solid substance or a mixture of many similarly structured large molecules.