Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy

Details Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy

1996-04-29

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9604174v1

ApJL 457 (1996) L43-L46

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages, 2 postscript figures, uses aaspp4.sty

Scientific paper

10.1086/309881

We have mapped the H_2 v=1-0 S(1) (\lambda=2.1215 \micron) emission line along a 400 pc long strip and in a 50 pc region in the Galactic center. There is H_2 emission throughout the surveyed region. The typical de-reddened (A_K = 2.5 mag) surface brightness, about 3 X 10^{-5} ergs/s/cm^2/sr, is similar to the surface brightness in large-scale photon-dominated regions in the galactic disk. We investigate two possible excitation mechanisms for the H_2 emission: UV-excitation by photons from OB stars, and shock waves, and conclude that UV-excitation is more likely. The total H_2 v=1-0 S(1) luminosity in the inner 400 pc region of the Galaxy is 8000 L_sun. The ratio of the H_2 to far-IR luminosity in the inner 400 pc of the Galaxy agrees with that in starburst galaxies and ultraluminous infrared bright galaxies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy 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 Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular Hydrogen Emission from the Inner 400 Parsecs of the Galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-501727