Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jul 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991a%26a...247..291a&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 247, no. 2, July 1991, p. 291-302. Research supported by NFR and NORDITA.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
31
Galactic Evolution, Line Spectra, Molecular Clouds, Radio Spectra, Starburst Galaxies, Astronomical Models, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon 13, Emission Spectra, Spectrum Analysis
Scientific paper
The luminous merging galaxy system NGC 3256 is mapped in the J = 1-0 and J = 2-1 emission lines of CO-12 and have measured selected points in the J = 1-0 and J = 2-1 transitions of CO-13. An unusually high CO-12/CO-13 intensity ratio of about 35 is observed in J = 1-0 in the center of the system. This would conventionally imply optically thin emission. However, this intensity ratio and the other line intensities suggest that most of the molecular emission arises in small, thick clouds of high temperatures of about 100 - 300 K. Small size is required over the full range of measurement uncertainties, although the temperature is not yet well constrained. Models of the molecular clouds are developed that explain the CO data and that predict other observable properties. The models and available data suggest a highly disrupted molecular cloud ensemble which radiates powerfully in response to the starlight and mechanical luminosity of an associated starburst.
Aalto Samuli
Black John Harry
Booth Roy S.
Johansson Lars E. B.
No associations
LandOfFree
Peculiar molecular clouds in NGC 3256? 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 Peculiar molecular clouds in NGC 3256?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Peculiar molecular clouds in NGC 3256? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-859845