Cyanoacetylene and its /sup 13/C species: Evidence against relative isotope fractionation and improved /sup 12/C//sup 13/C abundance ratios

Journal Article · Fri Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156661· OSTI ID:6388258

Wannier, P G; Linke, R A

We use the J=9..-->..8 transitions of HCCCN and its /sup 13/C substituted species to obtain several results in Sgr B2 and Ori A. In Sgr B2 we test for relative isotope fractionation among the three carbon sites in HCCCN and find none to a level of +- 5%. We verify that HCCCN has low opacity in both sources and derive /sup 12/C//sup 13/C isotope ratios of 50 (Ori A) and 22 (Sgr B2), an indication of galactic evolution of this important ratio. That the Orion ''plateau'' feature is especially prominent in HCCCN indicates a surprisingly large polyatomic molecule abundance for this energetic source. Our spectra also yield information about other chemical species, including a new transition of NH/sub 2/CN, an improved frequency of U81505, and a new unidentified line U79220. In addition, sensitive upper limits for NH/sub 2/CN, CH/sub 2/CO, and HNO in the Orion ''spike'' source imply that this cloud is relatively deficient in these species.

• Research Organization: Owens Valley Radio Observatory, California Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 6388258
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 226:3; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMOCHEMISTRY
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FRACTIONATION
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MOLECULES
NITRILES
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PROPIOLONITRILE
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPACE
STABLE ISOTOPES