Committee 5: Molecular Spectra

Extract

The laboratory study of molecules of interest to astrophysicists has been progressing at a steady pace. A complete bibliography for the year September 1968 to September 1969, for instance, would show work on 68 molecules of possible interest; the diatomic and simpler polyatomic molecules. During this period 38 papers appeared on H₂ alone, notably on its polarizability and the character of its spectrum near the ionization limit. Twenty-one papers on CO included studies in the vacuum UV, its Franck-Condon factors, chemiluminescence and IR absorptances. In the interests of saving space in this report, the detailed discussion of published work on each molecule of interest will be deleted. Instead, attention might be called to the fact that a complete card file bibliography is maintained by Phillips at Berkeley, and inquiries are welcome. In addition, a bi-monthly Newsletter is distributed from Berkeley in collaboration with S. P. Davis of the Physics Department.