New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas.

Details New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas. New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas.

Jul 1995

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995a%26a...299..591g&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.299, p.591

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

2

Ism: Abundances, Ism: Molecules, Galaxy: Solar Neighbourhood, Radio Lines: Ism

Scientific paper

Molecular absorption line observations towards the background source Sgr B2 `M' are presented. Previous observations have shown that there are ~9 foreground clouds of moderate density along this line of sight, which produce absorption lines that are well spaced in velocity. In two of these clouds, first detections have now been made of the rare isotopomers ^13^CS, HN^13^C, HC^15^N and HC^18^O^+^. For a feature at lsr velocities of -4 to +18km/s, the isotopic ratio [^12^C:^13^C] has been estimated, from the relative intensities of ^12^CS and ^13^CS J=1-0 lines, and also by comparing the strength of the ^13^CS line with that of C^34^S J=1-0 observed previously. A convergent solution for the two methods is found if ^12^CS is optically thick but the isotopomer lines are optically thin. In this case [^12^C:^13^C] is 24+/-11, which is surprisingly low if the gas lies near the Sun, as indicated by its velocity. However, it has been suggested that parts of this feature may in fact arise in hot gas close to the Sgr B2 cloud, where a low isotope ratio is expected. If this region of the line is excluded, the [^12^C:^13^C] ratio for the remaining lsr velocities of +11 to +18km/s is only slightly changed, with a value of 22+/-13. This is the true carbon isotope ratio in some nearby gas, if effects such as peculiar velocities and isotopic fractionation are unimportant. The value found here is well below the local average of ~60-70 in the solar neighbourhood, which suggests that some of the nearby absorbing gas has been recently isotopically enriched by stellar ejecta. This moderate density absorbing gas is then more likely to be material left over after star-formation, rather than a pre-star-forming cloud.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas. does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and New detections of isotopic molecular absorption lines: a low [^12^C:^13^C] ratio in nearby gas. will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1168600