The detection of cyanohexatriyne in Heiles's cloud 2.

Abstract

The J=9..-->..8 and 21..-->..20 rotational transitions of the heavy linear molecule cyanohexatriyne, H(triple bond)/sub 3/CN, have been detected in Heiles's Cloud 2, a dark cloud at a distance of 115 pc in Taurus. This molecule, which contains eight heavy atoms and has a molecular weight of 99 amu, was synthesized specifically for the purpose of interstellar detection. Statistical-equilibrium calculations indicate a total column density of 2.7 x 10/sup 13/ molecules cm/sup -2/. This abundance is down by a factor of only 2 from that of H(CequivalentC)/sub 2/CN