Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-04-16
Astrophys.J.665:390-401,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in ApJ. Corrected typos
Scientific paper
10.1086/519014
We present spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ionized gas within the Galactic giant HII region NGC3603. Using the IRS instrument on board the Spitzer Space Telescope, we study in particular the PAH emission features at ~5.7, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3um, and the [ArII] 6.99um, [NeII] 12.81um, [ArIII] 8.99um, and [SIV] 10.51um forbidden emission lines. The observations probe both ionized regions and photodissociation regions. Silicate emission is detected close to the central cluster while silicate absorption is seen further away. We find no significant variation of the PAH ionization fraction across the whole region. The emission of very small grains lies closer to the central stellar cluster than emission of PAHs. The PAH/VSG ratio anticorrelates with the hardness of the interstellar radiation field suggesting a destruction mechanism of the molecules within the ionized gas, as shown for low-metallicity galaxies by Madden et al. (2006).
Bernard-Salas Jeronimo
Brandl Berhard
Devost Daniel
Houck James R.
Lebouteiller Vianney
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