On the H2 line emission from NGC 6240 and other starburst galaxies

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169358· OSTI ID:6163577

Draine, B T; Woods, D T ^[1]

---

1. Princeton Univ. Observatory, NJ (USA)

The origin of the powerful H2 line emission from the starburst galaxy NGC 6240 is considered. It is argued that shock waves do not appear to be able to account directly for the observed H2 emission. A new scenario is proposed in which the emission originates in molecular gas which has been abruptly exposed to intense X-ray irradiation. The required X-rays could come from a variety of sources, including SNRs or high-velocity collisions between clouds. 76 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6163577
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 363; 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
AMPLIFIERS
COSMIC GASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EMISSION SPECTRA
EQUIPMENT
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASERS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
ORIGIN
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPACE
SPECTRA
STARS
SUPERNOVAE
VARIABLE STARS
X RADIATION