C-12/C-13 isotope ratio toward Zeta Ophiuchi

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184524· OSTI ID:5797349

Hawkins, I; Jura, M; Meyer, D M

Observations of interstellar CH(+) toward Zeta Oph were performed to determine the C-12/C-13 isotope ratio in this diffuse cloud. The very high signal-to-noise ratio spectra yield 6 sigma detections of the (C-13)H(+) features at 4232 A and 3957 A; a weighted mean C-12/C-13 ratio of 43 + or - 6 (1 sigma) is obtained. The uncertainty includes the contribution of continuum placement errors, statistical channel-to-channel signal fluctuations, and the error introduced in deconvolving the blended isotopic lines at 4232 A. This result indicates a decrease in the local galactic C-12/C-13 ratio by a factor of 2 during the 4.6 billion yr since the formation of the sun. 39 references.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 5797349
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 294; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON ISOTOPES
COSMIC GASES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FLUIDS
GASES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MOLECULES
NUCLEI
SPACE
STABLE ISOTOPES