Hot gas in the nucleus of IC 342 - Detection of J = 3-2 CO emission

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185038· OSTI ID:5465223

Ho, P T.P.; Turner, J L; Martin, R N

The J = 3-2 CO line is detected for the first time in an external galaxy, in the nearby spiral IC 342. It is shown that in contrast to the J = 1-0 CO line, which favors optically thick and cool gas, the J = 3-2 CO line can be used to study a hot component in extragalactic nuclear environment. Limited mapping results suggest that the J = 3-2 CO emission arises from the same regions as the J = 1-0 CO emission. It is therefore likely that hot gas and strong star-formation activities are closely associated with the central molecular gas bar. 20 references.

• Research Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA; California Univ., Los Angeles; Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ
• OSTI ID: 5465223
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 322; 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
CHALCOGENIDES
CONFIGURATION
COSMIC GASES
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SPACE
SPECTRA
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION