1994A&AS..106...39J

A systematic search for diffuse interstellar absorption bands in the spectra of four reddened early type stars has resulted in the detection of 64 new bands and another 69 possible interstellar features. The survey covers the wavelength range from 3800 to 8680 A, with 0.3 A resolution, down to a sensitivity limit of about W/E_B–V=0.008 A/mag. The spectra are shown in full length in order to allow a direct comparison with laboratory absorption spectra of candidate diffuse band carriers. Indeed, it is now possible to decide whether stellar or telluric lines mask any diffuse band that is observed in the laboratory, as we show in an example. The example chosen is that of the naphtalene ion, for which we report the detection of two predicted DIBs at 6521 and 6741 A.