Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula

Details Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aspc..420...43g&link_type=abstract

Bioastronomy 2007: Molecules, Microbes and Extraterrestrial Life ASP Conference Series, Vol. 420, proceedings of a workshop held

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

We present our latest results on carbon chemistry in the Horsehead nebula, one of the most famous objects in the sky and a unique laboratory to understand the chemistry of interstellar clouds} illuminated by UV radiation} from nearby stars. Photodissociation regions (PDRs) are interesting intermediate media between diffuse and dense dark clouds, thus enabling astrochemists to probe a large variety of physical and chemical processes. In particular, our high resolution astronomical observations show that the Horsehead edge is a realistic template to determine the molecular inventory in PDRs and to investigate the photostability of simple organic molecules}. In this contribution we show that simple carbon chains and rings (CCH, c-C3H2 and C4H) are tightly spatially correlated with each other and with the emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We show how molecules such as HCO+ start to be enriched in deuterium (DCO+/HCO+ > 0.02) as the gas cools down in the densest and UV protected prestellar condensations. We also determine the gas phase sulfur abundance in the UV irradiated gas from CS and HCS+ observations and chemical modeling. We finally present the first results of our search of gas phase species with a probable dust grain surface origin (e.g., H2S). We stress the need of well conceived astronomical observations together with models that treat consistently both the photochemistry of simple organic species and the radiative transport of their emission lines.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula 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 Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Simple Organic Chemistry in the Horsehead Nebula will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1112204