Abstract
| - Observations and identifications of the Merrill-Sanford bands of the silicon dicarbide molecule are reported for a range of N and J stars. The data were recorded at 0.8-1.6 Å resolution between 4100 and 5500 Å. A full description of the assignments and spectral features in the stars is given. The spectra are characterized by absorption from the ground vibrational level (0, 0, 0) and from higher-lying vibrational levels involving one quantum of excitation in ν1, and up to two quanta in ν2 and ν3, giving rise to numerous hot-bands. The first results of rotational contour calculations are presented, and are consistent with SiC2 lying in the upper atmosphere of the star with a rotational temperature substantially lower than that of the photosphere.
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