Visible spectrum of Pi/sup1 Gruis - Identification of new E/sup1 Pi-X/sup1 Sigma/sup+/ and 1 Sigma/sup+ - X/sup1 Sigma/sup+ bands of ZrO

Abstract

New molecular features identified with the e 1H-X + and ` +-X ` + transitions of ZrO, in the 5840-7210 A spectral region of the S star ` Gru, are presented. The measured band positions are in accord with the laboratory and predicted spectra of the molecule. The proposed new identifications suggest that molecular features due to the oxides of s-process elements are stronger and more extensive in stellar spectra than in the laboratory.