Heterodyne spectroscopy of the J = 17-16 CO line in Orion

Journal Article · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167106· OSTI ID:5398166

Boreiko, R T; Betz, A L; Zmuidzinas, J ^[1]

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1. California Univ., Berkeley (USA)

High-resolution spectra of the 153 micron J = 17-16 CO line in the BN-KL region of Orion using a laser heterodyne spectrometer are obtained. The line shows broad wings characteristic of the plateau emission as well as a narrower component probably associated with the quiescent gas in the molecular ridge. From an analysis of the plateau emission together with that observed in lower J CO transitions, an excitation temperature of 180 + or - 50 K and minimum column density of 1 x 10 to the 18th /sq cm are derived for CO in this component, which constitutes 80 percent of the total integrated intensity of the J = 17-16 line near BN. The peak intensity of the narrower component observed at 0.8 km/s resolution increases relative to that of the plateau component toward theta 1C and away from BN, while the width decreases from 10 to 4 km/s (FWHM). 39 references.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5398166
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 337; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• 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
CHALCOGENIDES
COSMIC GASES
DENSITY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FLUIDS
GASES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPACE
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT