Magnetohydrodynamic shocks in diffuse clouds. II. Production of CH(+), OH, CH, and other species

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164693· OSTI ID:6643002

Draine, B T; Katz, N

Several detailed models of MHD shock waves propagating into diffuse molecular gas with preshock density n(H) of 50/cu cm were computed to investigate the production of molecules such as CH(+), CH, and OH. The dependence of the column densities of these species on shock speed, molecular/atomic hydrogen ratio, and UV radiation enhancement factor was computed, together with the mean velocity and line-of-sight velocity dispersion. Shock models proposed for the lines of sight to Zeta Per, Omicron Per, and Chi Oph were compared to available observations. It is proposed that, in addition to accounting for interstellar CH(+), shock waves in diffuse clouds may play an important role in the global production of OH, CH, and CO in the interstellar medium. 53 references.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ. Observatory, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6643002
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 310; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC GASES
COSMOCHEMISTRY
DIFFUSION
FLUIDS
GASEOUS DIFFUSION
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
HYDROXYL RADICALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADICALS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTROSCOPY
WAVE PROPAGATION