arXiv subjects

Tina A. Harriott

Publications and source records attributed to Tina A. Harriott.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Concerns regarding recurrent fluorescence's impact on smaller diffuse ISM aromatics

Recent research implied that recurrent fluorescence (RF) could bolster smaller aromatics against fragmentation in the diffuse ISM, yet that hypothesis is contested by timescales for unrelenting dissociative recombination (electrons), and unceasing dissociating photons. Specifically, neutral cyanonaphthalene can sustain $13.6$ eV photoionization, and the ensuing cation's excess energy is channeled through intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR), with RF providing the radiative stabilization pathway ($\simeq7$ eV negligible survival limit). However, that cation endures dissociative recombination every $τ\approx0.5^{+5.6}_{-0.4}$ years, which deposits $\simeq 8.6$ eV and exceeds the limit. Moreover, that is paired with $7-13.6$ eV photodestruction each $τ\approx16^{+223}_{-14}$ years (total visual dust extinction $A_V=0-1$, and $τ\approx4^{+7}_{-2}$ years for $A_V\approx0$). Recent laboratory characterizations of RF were seminal, but the mechanism may not overturn models indicating a gap in smaller $N_C\approx7-11$ diffuse ISM aromatics, nor support those molecules as viable diffuse interstellar band carriers.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Benchmarking Astrochemistry Paradigms: Relative Absence of C6H5CN+ in the Diffuse ISM

The detectability of C6H5CN+ (benzonitrile cation) in the diffuse ISM is re-evaluated. A holistic evidentiary framework suggests C6H5CN+ is relatively absent in the diffuse ISM owing to the following concurrently: a marginal intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) favoring fragmentation, recurrent fluorescence being an improbable mechanism in this case to prevent dissociation, unceasing photon strikes, mismatches between observed DIBs and experimental results, and the hitherto absence of DIBs matching any similarly sized cations. The putative gap in bottom-up synthesis is reaffirmed (diffuse ISM), and although DIB sources are largely unknown, within a broader approach the lines can help benchmark astrochemistry paradigms. The results relied on new advantageous Daly et al. experimental spectra, an expanded observational DIB analysis (APO catalog), and complementary $ω$B97X-D/cc-pVTZ computations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

On the Anticipation of Lunar Travel in the Early 20th Century: A Pedagogical Exercise

This article examines, from historical and pedagogical perspectives, Alphonse Berget's anticipation of Earth-Moon travel in Le Ciel (Larousse, 1923), decades before the beginning of the space age. The discussion is triggered by Le Ciel, a richly illustrated French popular science work, which has a devoted chapter examining lunar and interplanetary travel within a Newtonian framework. Although Berget's treatment was not developed in isolation and reflects a broader early 20th century context that included pioneers such as French aero-engineer Robert Esnault-Pelterie, the book provides a striking pedagogical synthesis of elementary celestial mechanics and scientific popularization. Unlike earlier fictional treatments such as Jules Verne's De la Terre a la Lune, Berget approached space travel using physical reasoning grounded in Newtonian gravitation. Using qualitative and semi-quantitative arguments based on the inverse-square law, he identified the principal phases of an Earth-Moon trajectory: escape from Earth, inertial translunar motion, transition through competing Earth-Moon gravitational fields, and final lunar capture and deceleration. His estimated Earth-Moon travel time of approximately 49 hours is of the same order of magnitude as Apollo mission transit times (approx. 72 h). We compare these early ideas with modern elementary concepts of astrodynamics, including restricted three-body trajectories, Lagrange-point dynamics, and distant retrograde orbits associated with the Artemis program. We also examine Berget's discussion of interplanetary travel, lunar landscapes, and human factors associated with prolonged voyages, including confinement, food supply, and travel duration. The analysis highlights the pedagogical value of historically grounded scientific reasoning underpinning spaceflight mechanics.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2025

The Critical 9365 Å Diffuse Interstellar Band and C$_{60}^{+}$ Association

The detection of interstellar C$_{60}^{+}$ has been debated for 30 years. The contested attribution of a weaker DIB at 9365 Å was re-evaluated here on the basis of a Pearson correlation relative to 9577 Å, which was previously tied to C$_{60}^{+}$ by diverse collaborations. An assessment of 11 sightlines revealed a high correlation amongst 9365$-$9577 Å equivalent widths ($r=0.93 \pm 0.05$), after contamination from an adjacent line was mitigated using both numerical integration and Gaussian fits. In tandem with a recent separate study's high-$r$ evaluation linking 9577$-$9632 Å across a sizable baseline: three interrelated DIBs matching C$_{60}^{+}$ laboratory findings were independently reaffirmed (9365, 9577, 9632 Å). Yet further investigations are required to strengthen the case via two other weak DIBs disputedly linked to C$_{60}^{+}$, particularly owing to potential overlapping lines arising from an expansive chemical space (PAHs).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Potential Vibrational Modes Tied to Diffuse Interstellar Bands

Potential vibrational modes associated with diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) could be discerned by examining energy differences between correlated DIBs. Consequently, $\approx 10^3$ higher correlated DIB pairs ($r-σ_r \ge 0.8$, $\ge 12$ sightlines) were extracted from the Apache Point Observatory DIB catalog, and their energy spacings computed. In this first macro exploratory step, a histogram possibly reveals chemical bond signatures of C$\equiv$C, C$\equiv$N, S$-$H, C$-$O, C$=$O, Si$-$H, N$-$H, C$-$H (aliphatic), C$\mathbf{^{\underline{...}}}$C (in-ring), and aromatics (C$-$H stretch, C$\mathbf{^{\underline{...}}}$C in-ring, oop C$-$H bending, and overtones). Continued research is required to (in)validate the histogram approach, mitigate noise, scrutinize maxima, break degeneracies, and converge upon an optimal framework.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Strengthening the Link Between Fullerenes and a Subset of Diffuse Interstellar Bands

A debate persists regarding the correlation between the DIBs 9577 and 9632 Å, and whether they share a common molecular carrier (i.e., C$_{60}^{+}$). A robust high correlation determination emerges after bridging the baseline across an order of magnitude ($\simeq 50 - 700$ mÅ, $r=0.93\pm0.02$), and nearly doubling the important higher equivalent width domain by adding new Mg II-corrected sightlines. Moreover, additional evidence is presented of possible DIB linkages to fullerenes, whereby attention is drawn to DIBs at 7470.38, 7558.44, and 7581.47 Å, which match the Campbell experimental results for C$_{70}^{+}$ within 1 Å, and the same is true of 6926.48 and 7030.26 Å for C$_{70}^{2+}$. Yet their current correlation uncertainties are unsatisfactory and exacerbated by expectedly low EWs (e.g., $\overline{EW}=4$ mÅ for 6926.48 Å), and thus further observations are required to assess whether they represent a bona fide connection or numerical coincidence.

astro-ph.GA↗