Evidence for interstellar H/sub 2/O in the Orion molecular cloud

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185332· OSTI ID:6348364

Knacke, R F; Larson, H P; Noll, K S

A search for interstellar gas phase H/sub 2/O in the infrared spectrum of the BN object in Orion is reported. There is absorption (S/N = 2-4) at the position of the nu3 1(01)-2(02) line of H/sub 2/O at 3801.42/cm, the strongest expected H/sub 2/O line. Statistical analysis of the spectrum provides corroborating evidence for other H/sub 2/O lines. With an assumed H/sub 2/O excitation temperature of 150 K, N(H/sub 2/O) of 2.3 x 10 to the 17th/sq cm or less toward the BN object is derived. The H/sub 2/O column density implies abundance ratios of (H/sub 2/O)/(CO) = 0.01-0.08 or less and (HDO)/(H/sub 2/O) = 0.8-3.0 x 10 to the -3rd or more. The gas-to-ice ratio is (H/sub 2/O gas)/(H/sub 2/O ice) = 0.06 with an estimated uncertainty of a factor of 5. 17 references.

• Research Organization: New York State Univ., Stony Brook (USA); Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6348364
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 335; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ABUNDANCE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC GASES
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FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
NEBULAE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
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WATER