H2 excitation by magnetic shock precursors in the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astronomical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115676· OSTI ID:6105203

Graham, J R; Wright, G S; Hester, J J; Longmore, A J ^[1]

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1. Palomar Observatory, Pasadena, CA (USA) Joint Astronomy Center, Hilo, HI (USA) California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (USA) Royal Observatory, Edinburgh (Scotland)

Emission from vibrationally excited H2 has been discovered which is associated with the bright optical shock-excited filaments to the northeast of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. Infrared spectroscopy and infrared and optical narrow-band images of the shock-excited gas have been obtained in an effort to understand the mechanism of H2 excitation. A shock model with a magnetic precursor is proposed which explains quantitatively the observed H2 surface brightness, level population, and relation to optical emission. A shock with a magnetic precursor can also account for some of the anomalous properties of nonradiative shocks. 64 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6105203
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal; (USA) Vol. 101; ISSN 0004-6256; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BRIGHTNESS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
HYDROGEN
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONMETALS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA
STAR MODELS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS