Comparison of optical and radio column-density measurements toward omicron and Persei and zeta Ophiuchi

Journal Article · Tue Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182160· OSTI ID:7344836

Crutcher, R M

Optical and radio measurements of interstellar column densities toward two stars are compared in order to improve our knowledge of diffuse cloud geometry, excitation conditions, and molecular abundances. Toward omicron Per, radio column density measurements made with 20' beams (H i, CH, OH) agree with optical determinations, but a measurement with a 1' beam (CO) is an order of magnitude greater than the optical value. Mapping of the radio CO line shows that there is a hole in the CO distribution centered on omicron Per. Whether the star is the cause of the hole is briefly discussed. Toward zeta Oph the radio CO measurement and optical results are in reasonably good agreement. The CO toward zeta Oph has the same velocity and line width as the strongest neutral atomic constituents. Since the CO and CH/sup +/ velocities and line widths are significantly different, the two molecules are not spatially coincident. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois
• OSTI ID: 7344836
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett.; (United States) Vol. 206:3; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COSMIC DUST
COSMOCHEMISTRY
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DUSTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
GRAIN DENSITY
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MICROSTRUCTURE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
SPACE