Studies of Interstellar Formamide
Abstract
The 111-110 transition of interstellar formamide (NH2CHO) was detected at 19-cm wavelength in the galactic center sources Sgr A and Sgr 132. Statistical equilibrium calculations, which indicate that the 111-110 and 212-211 transitions are inverted for large ranges of densities and temperatures, suggest an NH1CHO projected density of 1011 in Sgr 132. Arguments are presented that all of the previously observed K-doublet transitions of formamide, methyl alcohol, formic acid, and acetaldehyde are inverted and amplify the background continuum radiation. Subject headings: interstellar matter - molecules - nebulae
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 1973
- DOI:
- 10.1086/152178
- Bibcode:
- 1973ApJ...182..699G