Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006natur.442..425m&link_type=abstract
Nature, Volume 442, Issue 7101, pp. 425-427 (2006).
Computer Science
25
Scientific paper
Nitrogen is the fifth most abundant element in the Universe. In the interstellar medium, it has been thought to be mostly molecular (N2). However, N2 has no observable rotational or vibrational transitions, so its abundance in the interstellar medium remains poorly known. In comets, the N2 abundance is very low, while the elemental nitrogen abundance is deficient with respect to the solar value. Moreover, large nitrogen isotopic anomalies are observed in meteorites and interstellar dust particles. Here we report the N2H+ (and by inference the N2) abundance inside a cold dark molecular cloud. We find that only a small fraction of nitrogen in the gas phase is molecular, with most of it being atomic. Because the compositions of comets probably reflect those of dark clouds, this result explains the low N2 abundance in comets. We argue that the elemental nitrogen abundance deficiency in comets can be understood if the atomic oxygen abundance is lower than predicted by present chemical models. Furthermore, the lack of molecular nitrogen in molecular clouds explains the nitrogen anomalies in meteorites and interstellar dust particles, as nitrogen fractionation is enhanced if gaseous nitrogen is atomic.
Bergin Edwin A.
Lada Charles J.
Maret Sebastian
No associations
LandOfFree
A low fraction of nitrogen in molecular form in a dark cloud 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 A low fraction of nitrogen in molecular form in a dark cloud, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A low fraction of nitrogen in molecular form in a dark cloud will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1616772