The Galactic Distribution of Molecules (A CO Survey)(6),

Abstract

The J = 1 to 0 emission of CO has been surveyed in the galactic plane between l = -10 and +90 degrees with a 1' beam sampling every degree. Molecular clouds emitting in the CO line are plentiful over the inner region of the galaxy. Their greatest number occurs in the galactic nucleus and at a radius of 5.5 kpc - a distribution similar to radio H II regions but very different from that previously derived for atomic hydrogen. The total mass in molecular clouds is found, and each typically has an average density of 500/cc, and a temperature of 7 K. These results suggest that most of the interstellar medium in the interior of the galaxy is molecular H2.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA011146

Entities

People

  • N. Z. Scoville

Organizations

  • Owens Valley Radio Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Collecting Methods
  • Elements
  • Emission
  • Hydrogen
  • Molecules
  • Sampling

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space