H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies

Details H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies

2000-01-17

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0001296v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

invited review, to appear in Molecular Hydrogen in Space, eds. F. Combes and G. Pineau des Forets, Cambridge University Press.

Scientific paper

Observations and interpretation of extragalactic rotational and rovibrational H2 emission are reviewed. Direct observations of H2 lines do not trace bulk H2 mass, but excitation rate. As such, the H2 lines are unique diagnostics, if the excitation mechanism can be determined, which generally requires high-quality spectroscopy and suitable additional data. The diagnostic power of the H2 lines is illustrated by two cases studies: H2 purely rotational line emission from the disk of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC891 and high resolution imaging and spectroscopy of H2 vibrational line emision from the luminous merger NGC6240.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies 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 H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and H2 emission as a diagnostic of physical processes in starforming galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-266432