A new interstellar molecule, methylcyanoacetylene (CH3C3N), has been detected in the molecular cloud TMC-1. The J = 8 --> 7, J = 7 --> 6, J = 6 --> 5, and J = 5 --> 4 transitions have been observed. For the first three of these, both the K = 0 and K = 1 components are present, while for J = 5 --> 4, only the K = 0 line has been detected. The observed frequencies were calculated by assuming a value of radial velocity VLSR = 5.8 km s-1 for TMC-1, typical of other molecules in the cloud. All observed frequencies are within 10 kHz of the calculated frequencies, which are based on the 1982 laboratory constants of Moises et al., so the identification is secure. The lines are broadened by hyperfine splitting, and the J = 5 --> 4, K = 0 transition shows incipient resolution into three hyperfine components. The rotational temperature determined for these observations is quite low, with 2.7 K < or = Trot < or = 4 K. the total column density is approximately 5 x 10(12) cm-2.

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The hydrogen emission line n(1l0) --> n(109) at the frequency 5009 megahertz which was predicted by Kardashev has been detected in M 17, Orion, and nine other galactic H II regions with the 42.7-m (140-foot) telescope and a 20-channel receiver at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. The measured product of the half-power width of the line times the ratio of line-to-continuum brightness temperature is larger than that predicted by Kardashev's theory. The radial velocity obtained for M 17 and Orion agrees well with optical measurements. The search for a similar line of excited helium was without success.