Probable detection of interstellar methylamine-D (CH/sub 3/NHD)

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182369· OSTI ID:7230285

Fourikis, N; Takagi, K; Saito, S

We have detected molecular lines, coincident in frequency with the 2/sub 02//sup(/sup +/)-1/sub 10//sup(/sup -/) A-state transition of monodeuterated methylamine: in absorption toward Sgr A, Sgr B2, and possibly W51, and in emission toward Ori A. If the identification is correct, this is the first time deuterium has been observed toward Sgr A, the galactic center. The (CH/sub 3/NHD)/(CH/sub 3/NH/sub 2/) ratio is estimated to be between 1 and 30 in the direction of Sgr B2. Assuming that the very large enrichment of the deuterated species results from a chemical reaction similar to that proposed by Solomon and Woolf but suitably generalized, we can derive a mean (D)/(H) ratio which is between the terrestrial and primordial values. Our estimate of the (CH/sub 3/NHD)/(CH/sub 3/NH/sub 2/) ratio is subject to large uncertainty because both transitions are anomalously excited.

• Research Organization: Division of Radiophysics, CSIRO, Sydney, Australia
• OSTI ID: 7230285
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 212:1; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
AMINES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMOCHEMISTRY
DEUTERIUM COMPOUNDS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LINE WIDTHS
METHYLAMINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SPACE
SPECTRA