A deep echelle survey and new analysis of diffuse interstellar bands

We report a deep survey of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) between 3906 A ngstrom and 6812 Angstrom under consistent observing conditions toward thre e very reddened and five unreddened stars. BD+63 degrees 1964's line-of-sig ht was shown to present exceptional DIB enhancement in number as well as in strength. The early spectral type of the star and the use of spectra of an unreddened comparison star of the same spectral type allowed to limit stel lar line residuals. Using careful reduction and analysis methods we discove red 60 new DIBs which are confirmed in the reddened targets HD 183143 and B D+40 degrees 4220. We detected 25 possible DIBs which still await further c onfirmation, but we did not detect or confirm 28 previously reported DIBs. The present survey with 226 confirmed DIBs, measured in three targets allow s a detailed and homogeneous statistical analysis on the distribution of DI B widths and intensities.