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Vibration-rotation lines of C(3) have been identified in the circumstellar spectrum of the obscured carbon star IRC+10216. This molecule is of interest in both the chemistry of flames, where it may be involved in the formation of soot, and in astrophysics, where it is a potential building block for carbonaceous grains. This high-resolution infrared detection of the pure carbon chain molecule C(3) allows the estimation of the equilibrium C-C bond length, 1.297 angstroms. Possible astrophysical formation and destruction mechanisms for C(3) are reviewed, including the relationship between C(3) and carbon clusters.

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The C(5) molecule has been identified in the infrared spectrum of the prototypical obscured carbon star, IRC+10216. In addition to their astrophysical importance, pure carbon chain molecules such as C(5) are of interest in the chemistry of flames and propellants.

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