Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007aas...210.1209b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 210, #12.09; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.110
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
We present results from an initial survey of the 212-111 transition of formaldehyde (H2CO) at 140.8 GHz in the far outer Galaxy (galactocentric distances > 16 kpc). Formaldehyde is a key prebiotic molecule. Determining the outermost extent of its distribution can constrain the outer limit of the “Galactic Habitable Zone”, the region where conditions for the formation of life are thought to be most favorable. We surveyed 74 lines of sight in 69 molecular clouds in the outer Galaxy ranging from 12 to 23.5 kpc in galactocentric radius (RG), and detected H2CO emission in 61% of the surveyed lines of sight. The H2CO spectral line at 140.8 GHz was detected in 27 of the clouds with RG > 16 kpc (detection rate 60%), including 7 clouds with RG > 20 kpc (detection rate 58%). Formaldehyde is readily found in the far outer Galaxy - even beyond the edge of the old stellar disk. The relatively widespread distribution of H2CO in the far outer Galaxy is a first step in determining how favorable this vast region of the Galaxy may be towards the formation of life.
Blair Samantha K.
Brand Jan
Magnani Loris
Wouterloot J. G.
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