ISO observations of interstellar ices

The first spectroscopic results from ISO (Infrared Space Observatory, Kessler et al. 1996) have revealed a wealth of interesting features and in particular absorption signatures of a wide variety of solid state molecular species. We present here some new ISO data obtained with SWS (Short Wavelength Spectrometer) toward the young deeply embedded object associated with RAFGL 7009S. Signatures of H2O, CO, CO2 ices can be readily identified but also some much less abundant species such as (CO2)-C-13, H2CO and CH4, all occurring in the near and mid-infrared region between 3 and 16 mu m. The detection of CO2 at 4.27 and 15.2 mu m confirms its presence in the IRAS-LRS spectra of several heavily absorbed sources. The very high extinction toward RAFGL 7009S makes it an excellent case to study other weak solid state absorption features, commonly measured in laboratory experiments. (C)1998 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.