Observations of DCO/sup +/: the electron abundance in dark clouds

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182562· OSTI ID:5298960

Guelin, M; Langer, W D; Snell, R L; Wootten, H A

The J=2-1 rotational line of DCO/sup +/ has been definitely detected in five molecular clouds, including three dark clouds, L63, L134, and L134 N, and marginally detected in four others. The DCO/sup +/ emission has been mapped in L134 N and extends over a region of 3'. The DCO/sup +//HCO/sup +/ abundance ratio found at the centers of dark clouds is large and implies a fractional electron abundance of less than 10/sup -8/. This low electron density sets constraints on the metals and possibly CO as well as on the hydrogen density.

• Research Organization: Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2880 Broadway, New York, NY 10025
• OSTI ID: 5298960
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 217:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ACYL RADICALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COSMOCHEMISTRY
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITED STATES
FORMYL RADICALS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MOLECULES
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
RADICALS
ROTATIONAL STATES
SPACE
STABLE ISOTOPES