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Cyanide and isocyanide abundances in the cold, dark cloud TMC-1

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/162229· OSTI ID:6127867
We have observed emission from HCN, H/sup 13/CN, HC/sup 15/N, HN/sup 13/C, H/sup 15/NC, HC/sub 3/N, CH/sub 3/CN, and possibly CH/sub 3/NC, and determined an upper limit for NH/sub 2/CN, toward the cold, dark cloud TMC-1. The abundance ratio (HNC)/(HCN) = 1.55 +- 0.16 is at least a factor approx.4 and approx.100 greater than that observed toward the giant molecular clouds DR 21(OH) and Orion KL, respectively. In contrast, for the corresponding methylated isomers we obtain (CH/sub 3/NC)/(CH/sub 3/CN)< or approx. =0.1. We also find (NH/sub 2/CN)/(CH/sub 3/CN)< or approx. =0.1 and (HC/sub 3/N)/(CH/sub 3/CN) = 30 +- 10. We find no evidence for anomalous hyperfine ratios for H/sup 13/CN, indicating that the ratios for HCN (cf. recent work of Walmsley et al.) are the result of self-absorption by cold foreground gas.
Research Organization:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Massachusetts
OSTI ID:
6127867
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 282:2; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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