2022RNAAS...6...82S

The relatively new and expansive Apache Point Observatory Catalog of Optical Diffuse Interstellar Bands was analyzed to identify novel correlations between diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and optical reddening E(B - V), with a principal aim being to facilitate future identifications of the host molecular carriers. The following lines exhibit the highest Pearson r correlations in descending order (0.930 ≥ r ≥ 0.885), and are tied to DIBs featuring n ≥ 10 sightlines and possessing equivalent width uncertainties: λ (Å) ≃ 5236.27, 5793.24, 5797.18, 6449.27, 6795.26, 5948.87, 6113.22, 6860.02, 6059.34, 6520.74. Independent observations to confirm the preliminary trends are desirable, and extinction estimates could be subsequently inferred for targets by relying on longer-wavelength (NIR) photometric calibrations linked to a weighted subset of numerous DIBs. Lastly, several DIBs appear unassociated with E(B - V), thereby reaffirming that diverse carriers exist.