H II region--molecular cloud complex W3: Observations of CO, CS, and HCN

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157919· OSTI ID:5020108

Dickel, H R; Dickel, J R; Wilson, W J; Werner, M W

The distributions of the emission from /sup 12/CO, /sup 13/CO, CS, and HCN have been mapped in the W3 molecular cloud. The emission is divided into three components according to the spatial distribution of the intensity and the associated velocity. Although the overall cloud is investigated, the emphasis is on the brightest condensation referred to as the W3 core. This dense and dynamically active region contains several embedded compact H II regions, IR sources, and masers. Strong /sup 12/CO self-absorption occurs toward the compact infrared source IRS 5 where emission from dust at 1 mm and in the far-infrared and the emission from /sup 13/CO and HCN are strongest, but the emission from CS, by contrast, is rather weak. Collapse of the W3 core is inferred from the line profiles. A velocity gradient is observed across the W3 core. The observations and derived physical parameters which are presented in this paper will be used in a subsequent paper to develop a model of the W3 region.

• Research Organization: Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois; and Sterrewacht, Leiden
• OSTI ID: 5020108
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 237:3; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBON SULFIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
CYANIDES
DISTRIBUTION
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY SPECTRA
H2 REGIONS
HYDROCYANIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LINE WIDTHS
NEBULAE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
RADIAL VELOCITY
SPACE
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
SPECTRA
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
VELOCITY