An astronomical search for the molecule C60

Abstract
In a search for a possible absorption feature of C60 near 3860 Å, spectra are presented of the reflection nebula CRL 2688, which had been predicted by Kroto to contain this molecule, and two Mira stars. Compared with an F star of low reddening, the spectrum of CRL 2688 shows additional absorptions that can be attributed to molecules in the nebula, mainly C3. There appears to be a residual broad absorption dip in the wavelength region expected for C60 but other origins for this cannot be excluded. For the M stars BS 681 and BS 1693, broad absorptions found in the same general region almost certainly come from the blending of strong stellar absorption lines.

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