2025/09/10 by D. Majaess, Tina A. Harriott, Majaess, Daniel +9
Physics and Astronomy · Chemistry · #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Fullerene Chemistry and Applications #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2509.08414
The detection of interstellar C60+ has been debated for 30 years. The contested attribution of a weaker DIB at 9365 Å was re-evaluated here on the basis of a Pearson correlation relative to 9577 Å, which was previously tied to C60+ by diverse collaborations. An assessment of 11 sightlines revealed a high correlation amongst 9365-9577 Å equivalent widths (r=0.93 ± 0.05), after contamination from an adjacent line was mitigated using both numerical integration and Gaussian fits. In tandem with a recent separate study's high-r evaluation linking 9577-9632 Å across a sizable baseline: three interrelated DIBs matching C60+ laboratory findings were independently reaffirmed (9365, 9577, 9632 Å). Yet further investigations are required to strengthen the case via two other weak DIBs disputedly linked to C60+, particularly owing to potential overlapping lines arising from an expansive chemical space (PAHs).