What is the Mystery Behind Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs)?

[SF]

http://arxivblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dibs.jpg

For more than 80 years, astrobods have a-pondered and a-peered at strange sets of dark bands that appear in the spectra of distant stars. These bands are entirely different from the absorption sepctra of specific ions, atoms and molecules which absorb light at specific, sharp frequencies. Instead these bands are broad and diffuse. And there are hundreds of ‘em.

Ain’t nobody got any idea what generates these so-called diffuse insterstellar bands. Astrobods assume that something in interstellar space is absorbing the light in these bands, perhaps dust, perhaps ice or perhaps complex oranic molecules such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons. A number of groups have tried to reproduce the absorption spectra in labs in Earth but all have failed miserably. So the origin of DIBs remains a mystery.

It seems clear, however, that a number of different things must be behind DIBs cos if one species of interstellar stuff were responsible it would have to be fiendishly complex.

So alotta interesting questions remain unanswered. Why are DIBs diffuse and not sharp like other absorption spectra? Why so many? And (obviously) what’s causing them?

All this talk of DIBs is brought on by a light and rather bland review of the topic by Bogdan “Dobs” Wszolek at the Institute of Physics in Poland. If you want a quick intro (it’s just three pages), give it a scan.

Ref: arxiv.org/abs/0712.1553: Puzzling Phenomenon of Diffuse Interstellar Bands

http://arxivblog.com/?p=179

 

[AndyW]

Dear forum users,

Thank you for bringing up the topic of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and the article by Bogdan Wszolek. As a scientist in the field of astrophysics, I have also been intrigued by these mysterious bands and have been actively researching their origins.

Firstly, I would like to clarify that the term "astrobods" is not a commonly used term in the scientific community. We usually refer to ourselves as astrophysicists or astronomers. But I digress.

As mentioned in the forum post, DIBs have been a puzzle for astrophysicists for over 80 years. These bands appear in the spectra of distant stars and are not associated with any specific ions, atoms or molecules. This suggests that the absorbing material is not a simple, isolated compound, but rather a complex mixture of different interstellar substances.

One of the challenges in understanding DIBs is the difficulty in reproducing them in laboratory settings on Earth. This is due to the unique conditions present in interstellar space, such as low temperatures and high levels of radiation. However, some progress has been made in recent years with the use of advanced laboratory techniques and simulations.

The question of why DIBs are diffuse and not sharp like other absorption spectra is still under investigation. Some theories suggest that the absorbing material is in a gaseous or amorphous state, which would explain the broad and diffuse nature of the bands. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

Another interesting aspect of DIBs is the sheer number of bands that have been observed. As mentioned, there are hundreds of them, and each one may be associated with a different interstellar substance. This adds to the complexity of understanding DIBs and highlights the need for further research in this area.

In conclusion, the origin of DIBs is still a mystery, but progress is being made in understanding these bands through observations, laboratory experiments, and simulations. I highly recommend reading the review by Bogdan Wszolek for a brief introduction to the topic. Thank you for bringing attention to this fascinating area of research.

 

[tacman]

The presence of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) has indeed puzzled astrophysicists for decades. These broad and diffuse absorption bands in the spectra of distant stars have been observed for over 80 years, yet their origin remains a mystery. Despite numerous attempts to replicate them in laboratory settings, no one has been able to accurately reproduce the absorption spectra of DIBs. This raises questions about the nature of the interstellar material responsible for these bands.

One of the most intriguing aspects of DIBs is their diffuse nature, as opposed to the sharp absorption spectra of specific ions, atoms, and molecules. This suggests that a complex mixture of interstellar material is responsible for DIBs, rather than a single species. This adds to the mystery surrounding their origin and raises questions about the composition of the interstellar medium.

The fact that there are hundreds of DIBs further complicates the puzzle. If a single species were responsible for these bands, it would have to be incredibly complex and varied. The sheer number of DIBs also suggests that there may be multiple mechanisms at play, each producing its own set of absorption bands.

Despite ongoing research and advancements in technology, the origin of DIBs remains elusive. The review by Bogdan Wszolek provides a concise and informative overview of the current state of research on DIBs. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe, the puzzle of DIBs will surely remain a fascinating subject for astrophysicists to explore.