Silicon carbide in laboratory, in interstellar space and in the solar system

Summary Using theoretical models and our laboratory data on different dust mixtures containing silicon carbide grains, we obtained the best fit of several infrared emission spectra of carbon stars and comets. The results suggest that silicon carbide formed in the envelopes around carbon stars and also present in our solar system may provide an important link between interstellar and interplanetary solid material. Paper presented at the 6th Cosmic Physics National Conference, Palermo, 3–7 November 1992.