Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005hia....13..825z&link_type=abstract
Highlights of Astronomy, Vol. 13, as presented at the XXVth General Assembly of the IAU - 2003 [Sydney, Australia, 13 - 26 July
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
High-resolution spectroscopy has been a critical tool for millimeter and sub-millimeter astronomy for over thirty years. Molecular emission lines dominate the interstellar spectrum at these wavelengths and studies at high resolution (1 in 106-107) have resulted in tremendous advances in the understanding of the physical and chemical properties of dense clouds and circumstellar envelopes. One particular application of high-resolution spectroscopy in this frequency regime (65-1000 GHz) has been broad-band spectral-line surveys. There are numerous such surveys in the literature. Analysis of these data sets has established molecular abundances and excitation conditions in many sources and paved the way for more detailed studies. They have also demonstrated several important points for future plans: (i) laboratory spectroscopy generally has not kept up with astronomical observations (ii) identification algorithms and the uninformed use of line catalogs can be misleading and (iii) the limiting factor is not spectral resolution itself but rather the sensitivity of the measurements stability of the telescope/receiver systems and careful analyses with internal consistency. Because the spectral line confusion limit is yet to be achieved improvements in these areas should lead to future discoveries such as new molecules of biological significance and set the stage for high-frequency and space-borne observations.
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