Observations of H/sub 2/ emission from molecular clouds and Herbig-Haro objects

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160732· OSTI ID:6302512

Simon, T; Joyce, R R

Using a CVF spectrometer with a spectral resolution of approx.2%, we have searched a group of molecular clouds, HH sources, and related objects for emission in the v = 1 ..-->.. 0 S(1) line of H/sub 2/ at lambda/sub 0/ = 2.122 ..mu..m. Included in this survey were H/sub 2/O masers with high-velocity components as well as CO hotspots with broad radio emission lines indicative of high-speed molecular flows. Generally our 3sigma detection limit for the integrated S(1) line flux corresponded to 7 x 10/sup -20/W cm/sup -2/ in our 34'' diameter beam. We present results for six sources that we detected and mapped in the S(1) line (NGC 1333, HH 12, NGC 2071, S255, S140, and Cep A), and we report limits for another 18 regions that were searched but not detected (e.g., L1551). In the H/sub 2/ sources that were mapped, we observed line emission over an extended area >0.2 pc in diameter. For NGC 1333 and Cep A, whose high velocity CO gas appears to be channeled into bipolar flows, we detected H/sub 2/ emission from the blueshifted CO lobe but not from the redshifted radio lobe. If the redshifted gas lies relatively deeper within the molecular cloud, then differential 2 ..mu..m extinction from dust within the cloud might be sufficient to reduce the H/sub 2/ emission from this part of the flow below our detection limit. By comparison with the Orion H/sub 2/ source, the surface brightness and luminosity in the S(1) line of the regions detected in this survey are weaker by an order of magnitude or more.

• Research Organization: Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii
• OSTI ID: 6302512
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 265:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
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AMPLIFIERS
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CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC GASES
DUSTS
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SPECTRA
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