Deuterium and hydrogen in the local interstellar medium

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/155690· OSTI ID:5338710

Dupree, A K; Baliunas, S L; Shipman, H L

Densities of neutral hydrogen and deuterium are found from observation with the Copernicus satellite of the L..cap alpha.. line toward two nearby stars. The hydrogen density is 0.03 +- 0.01 cm/sup -3/ toward ..cap alpha.. Aur(Capella) and 0.20 +- 0.05 cm/sup -3/ in the direction of ..cap alpha..Cen A, values indicating that the nearby (less than 14 pc) interstellar medium is inhomogeneous and can be of low density in certain directions. The ratios of deuterium to hydrogen: 3.9(+5.7, -1.7) x 10/sup -5/ and 0.24(+0.12, -0.07) x 10/sup -5/ for ..cap alpha.. Aur and ..cap alpha.. Cen A, respectively: suggest that variations in the deuterium abundance may exist.

• Research Organization: Center for Astrophysics, Harvard College Observatory
• OSTI ID: 5338710
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 218:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMOCHEMISTRY
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DEUTERIUM
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
SPACE
SPECTRA
SPECTRAL DENSITY
SPECTRAL FUNCTIONS
STABLE ISOTOPES
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA