Far infrared fine structure lines in the interstellar medium
Abstract
Fine structure lines in the far-infrared have many simple properties that make them useful tools for diagnosing astrophysical plasmas. The line ratios are sensitive and accurate probes of density, elemental abundances, and ionization structure. In addition, studies of line shapes and Doppler shifts should prove valuable in studies of the gross dynamics of H II regions and galaxies. We present a review of the theory involved in the interpretation of these lines, and a summary of the observations made so far.
- Publication:
-
International Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves
- Pub Date:
- December 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF01013471
- Bibcode:
- 1980IJIMW...1..609W
- Keywords:
-
- Far Infrared Radiation;
- Fine Structure;
- Infrared Astronomy;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Line Spectra;
- Abundance;
- Astrophysics;
- Cosmic Plasma;
- Doppler Effect;
- Galaxies;
- H Ii Regions;
- Hydrogen Ions;
- Line Shape;
- Plasma Density;
- Plasma Diagnostics;
- Tables (Data);
- Astrophysics;
- astronomy;
- fine structure lines;
- far-infrared spectroscopy