INVESTIGATING THE COSMIC-RAY IONIZATION RATE IN THE GALACTIC DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM THROUGH OBSERVATIONS OF H{sup +}{sub 3}
Observations of H{sup +}{sub 3} in the Galactic diffuse interstellar medium have led to various surprising results, including the conclusion that the cosmic-ray ionization rate ({zeta}{sub 2}) is about one order of magnitude larger than previously thought. The present survey expands the sample of diffuse cloud sight lines with H{sup +}{sub 3} observations to 50, with detections in 21 of those. Ionization rates inferred from these observations are in the range (1.7 {+-} 1.3) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1} < {zeta}{sub 2} < (10.6 {+-} 8.2) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1} with a mean value of {zeta}{sub 2} = (3.5{sup +5.3}{sub -3.0}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1}. Upper limits (3{sigma}) derived from non-detections of H{sup +}{sub 3} are as low as {zeta}{sub 2} < 0.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -16} s{sup -1}. These low upper limits, in combination with the wide range of inferred cosmic-ray ionization rates, indicate variations in {zeta}{sub 2} between different diffuse cloud sight lines. A study of {zeta}{sub 2} versus N{sub H} (total hydrogen column density) shows that the two parameters are not correlated for diffuse molecular cloud sight lines, but that the ionization rate decreases when N{sub H} increases to values typical of dense molecular clouds. Both the difference in ionization rates between diffuse and dense clouds and the variation of {zeta}{sub 2} among diffuse cloud sight lines are likely the result of particle propagation effects. The lower ionization rate in dense clouds is due to the inability of low-energy (few MeV) protons to penetrate such regions, while the ionization rate in diffuse clouds is controlled by the proximity of the observed cloud to a site of particle acceleration.
- OSTI ID:
- 22011946
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 745; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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