Copernicus observational searches for OH and H/sub 2/O in diffuse clouds

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156863· OSTI ID:6331199

Smith, W H; Snow, Jr, T P

An intensive search for OH and H/sub 2/O in the directions of sigma Sco, ..cap alpha.. Cam, and omicron Per was undertaken with the Copernicus satellite. Multiple scans were carried out over the wavelength region for the expected absorption features due to the OH D--X and H/sub 2/O C--X transitions. The feature due to OH was possibly detected toward sigma Sco, and only an upper limit can be given toward ..cap alpha.. Cam. H/sub 2/O was not detected in any of the stars at the signal level accumulated. The OH abundance toward sigma Sco and the respective lower limits for the OH/H/sub 2/O ratios are discussed with regard to the extant models for the steady-state abundances of OH and H/sub 2/O, and shown not to be inconsistent with ion-molecule schemes.

• Research Organization: McDonnell Center for Space Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Washington University
• OSTI ID: 6331199
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 228:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
HYDROXYL RADICALS
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INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
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ABUNDANCE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
NEBULAE
CHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
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640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies