On the relationship between Red Rectangle and diffuse interstellar bands

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nature of Red Rectangle bands and their possible connection to diffuse interstellar bands, highlighting artifacts and atmospheric effects, and suggesting some DIBs may originate from atmospheric molecules like NO2.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis of the Red Rectangle bands, identifying artifacts and atmospheric influences, and proposes a potential atmospheric origin for some DIBs.

Findings

Some Red Rectangle bands are artifacts or due to atmospheric extinction.

A resemblance between DIBs and NO2 spectrum suggests atmospheric molecules may cause some DIBs.

The study questions the interstellar origin of certain DIBs in the Red Rectangle.

Abstract

A careful examination of Red Rectangle bands which have been considered as diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in emission shows that a few are likely to be artifacts in the spectrum. Some others result from atmospheric extinction. Consequences for the Red Rectangle band/DIB associations are examined. I will also comment a striking resemblance between the DIB spectrum and the spectrum of NO2 in the 6150-6250A region. This suggests that some DIBs could be provoked by atmospheric molecules.