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Frank J. Lovas
Janet E. Bass, Robert A. Dragoset, Karen J. Olsen

NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory

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Abstract

Critically evaluated transition frequencies for the molecular transitions detected in interstellar and circumstellar clouds are presented. The tabulated transition frequencies are recommended for reference in future astronomical observations in the centimeter and millimeter wavelength regions. The transition frequencies have been selected through a critical examination and analysis of the laboratory spectral data obtained from the literature. The information tabulated includes the species identity, transition frequency, uncertainty, and quantum state labels. For convenience, representative line antenna temperatures are listed for a typical astronomical source for each transition, and the references are cited for the laboratory and astronomical literature that have been employed.

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Contents Introduction Source and Selection of Transition Frequencies Description of the Tables Acknowledgements References to Text References to Tables

List of Tables Table 1.    Listing by empirical formula of the isotopic forms of the interstellar species in Table 4. Table 2. Other species observed in comets, circumstellar and interstellar sources at IR and UV wavelengths, but not in Table 4. Table 3. List of telescope abbreviations. Table 4. Recommended rest frequencies for observed interstellar molecular lines. (Notes)