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The abundance ratio (/sup 17/O)/(/sup 18/O) in dense interstellar clouds

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182116· OSTI ID:7270166
We have measured the interstellar (/sup 17/O)/(/sup 18/O) isotope abundance ratio in eight giant molecule clouds using the J=1..-->..J=0 transition of carbon monoxide at approx.2.7 mm. The average interstellar ratio derived from these data is 0.24, a value which is significantly higher than the corresponding terrestrial abundance ratio of 0.186. There is weak evidence of source-to-source variation of the abundance ratio, but the maximum deviation from the mean value of 0.24 is 40 percent. An increase in the (/sup 17/O)/(/sup 18/O) interstellar abundance ratio since the time of formation of the solar system is consistent with current knowledge of nucleosynthesis. (AIP)
Research Organization:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
OSTI ID:
7270166
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 205:3; ISSN AJLEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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