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Detection of CO J=21. -->. 20 (124. 2. mu. m) and J=22. -->. 21 (118. 6. mu. m) emission from the Orion nebula

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6735020
We report the first observation of far-infrared molecular line emission from the interstellar medium. Strong emission from the J=21..-->..20 and J=22..-->..21 rotational transitions of carbon monoxide was detected in the Kleinmann-Low/shocked H/sub 2/ region of the Orion Molecular Cloud. The results imply that the region is optically thin in these lines and that much of the carbon is in the form of CO. This work also represents the first use of an antimony-doped germanium photoconductor in an astronomical application.
Research Organization:
Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley
OSTI ID:
6735020
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 239:3; ISSN AJLEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English