Abstract
Interstellar formaldehyde (CO) has been detected in absorption against numerous galactic and extragalactic radio sources by means of the - ground-state rotational transition at 4830 MHz. The absorbing regions often correspond in velocity with 18-cm OH features. CO is the first organic polyatomic molecule ever detected in the interstellar medium and its widespread distribution indicates that processes of interstellar chemical evolution may be much more complex than previously assumed.
- Received 17 March 1969
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.22.679
©1969 American Physical Society