Other
Scientific paper
Dec 2003
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003aas...20311607h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society Meeting 203, #116.07; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 35, p.1397
Other
Scientific paper
The molecular mass as derived from CO emission depends upon an assumed conversion factor, which for M 51, is suggested to be significantly different from the Milky Way value. Another and more direct method of determining the molecular gas mass is from the UV molecular hydrogen absorption lines. Here we use the stellar continuum of the disk, against which we detect the H2 absorption lines in the far UV with FUSE. From this, we estimate a column density and compare it to the CO line intensity to find the value of the conversion factor (X) for M 51.
We have obtained FUSE spectra toward five lines of sight in M 51, including the center, spiral arms, and interarm regions. Absorption due to H2 and low- and high-ionization atomic species from both M 51 and the Milky Way are seen. Using models of the background stellar continuum, we estimate the H2 column density to range from 1019--1020 cm-2, with a covering fraction between 20--50%. We discuss the implications of these results on the CO conversion factor and the ISM within M 51.
Bregman Joel N.
Hinkel Natalie R.
Miller Eric D.
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