Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Aug 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991apj...376l..49m&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 376, Aug. 1, 1991, p. L49-L52.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
69
Amino Radical, Interstellar Chemistry, Interstellar Matter, Molecular Clouds, Ultraviolet Spectra
Scientific paper
The discovery of interstellar NH is reported in the diffuse clouds toward Zeta Per and HD 27778 from high-resolution high S/N spectra of the NH A 3Pi-X 3Sigma (0,0) absorption band near 3358 A. These observations represent the first detection of this molecule anywhere in the interstellar medium. Measured equivalent widths of 0.37 + or - 0.08 and 1.1 + or - 0.3 mA for the NH R1(0) lines toward Zeta Per and HD 27778 correspond to respective NH column densities of 9.0 x 10 to the 11th and 2.7 x 10 to the 12th/sq cm. N(NH) in the Zeta Per cloud is close to previous upper limits and much greater than that predicted by current models of the gas-phase nitrogen chemistry. The incorporation of a more rapid rate for the reaction N(+) + H2 yields NH(+) + H in these models may provide an effective gas-phase route to explain the NH abundance. A contribution involving the direct or indirect production of NH from grain surface reactions is also possible. In any case, these NH measurements have additional implications for a better understanding of the observed CN abundances in diffuse interstellar clouds.
Meyer David M.
Roth Katherine C.
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