Detection of a New Interstellar Molecule, H 2CN
Abstract
We have detected a new interstellar molecule, H2CN (methylene amidogen), in the cold, dark molecular cloud TMC-1. The column density of H2CN is estimated to be approximately 1.5 x 1011 cm-2 by assuming an excitation temperature of 5 K. This column density corresponds to a fractional abundance relative to H2 of approximately 1.5 x 10-11. This value is more than three orders of magnitude less than the abundance of the related molecule HCN in TMC-1. We also report a tentative detection of H2CN in Sgr B2(N). The formation mechanism of H2CN is discussed. Our detection of the N2CN molecule may suggest the existence of a new series of carbon-chain molecules, CH2C(n)N (N = 0, 1, 2, ...).
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1086/187362
- Bibcode:
- 1994ApJ...427L..51O
- Keywords:
-
- Abundance;
- Carbon Compounds;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Methylene;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Radio Astronomy;
- Radio Spectra;
- Rotational Spectra;
- Astronomical Observatories;
- High Resolution;
- Radio Telescopes;
- Astronomy;
- ISM: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: TMC-1;
- ISM: MOLECULES;
- MOLECULAR PROCESSES;
- RADIO LINES: ISM