Observations of H3+ in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Surprisingly large column densities of H have been detected using infrared absorption spectroscopy in seven diffuse cloud sight lines (Cygnus OB2 12, Cygnus OB2 5, HD 183143, HD 20041, WR 104, WR 118, and WR 121), demonstrating that H is ubiquitous in the diffuse interstellar medium. Using the standard model of diffuse cloud chemistry, our H column densities imply unreasonably long path lengths (~1 kpc) and low densities (~3 cm-3). Complimentary millimeter-wave, infrared, and visible observations of related species suggest that the chemical model is incorrect and that the number density of H must be increased by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Possible solutions include a reduced electron fraction, an enhanced rate of H2 ionization, and/or a smaller value of the H dissociative recombination rate constant than implied by laboratory experiments.
All Related Versions

This publication has 35 references indexed in Scilit: