Hydrogen Molecules in Supernova Envelopes

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Scientific paper

The observations of CO and SiO in the infrared spectrum of SN1987A clearly indicate that molecules can form in the debris of a supernova explosion. Since H_2 is not easily observable we compute its abundance theoretically. For conditions typical of the inner (v < 2500 km s(-1) ) envelope of SN1987A, the fraction of H that is in molecular form rises to ~ 1% by t ~ 800 d. For t < 500 d the formation is dominated by the gas phase reactions H + H(+) -> H_2(+) + h nu ; H_2(+) + H -> H_2 + H(+) . Thereafter, the formation is dominated by the reactions H + e -> H(-) + h nu ; H(-) + H -> H_2 + e. At early times the H(-) may absorb ~ 10-30% of visible photons, contributing to the apparent paucity of H alpha emission. For t > 800 d the abundance of H_2 ``freezes out'' due to the slowing of all reactions. The opacity of the supernova envelope in the range 912 < lambda < 1150 Angstroms is dominated by resonance scattering in the Lyman and Werner bands of H_2. The resulting fluorescence emission bands of H_2 in the range 1150 < lambda < 1650 Angstroms may be observable in the UV spectra of supernovae at late times.

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