Comprehensive Models of Diffuse Interstellar Clouds: Physical Conditions and Molecular Abundances
Abstract
Comprehensive models of interstellar clouds are constructed, which describe the abundances of 120 species and the excitation of H2, C2, CO, and various atomic species as functions of depth. The models are used to infer physical conditions such as density, temperature, intensity of ultraviolet starlight, and cosmic-ray ionization rate in the well-studied diffuse clouds toward ζ Per, ζ Oph, χ Oph, and ο Per. The current limitations of steady state models are evaluated, and critical observational tests are suggested.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- September 1986
- DOI:
- 10.1086/191135
- Bibcode:
- 1986ApJS...62..109V
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Stellar Physics;
- Abundance;
- Density Distribution;
- Equations Of State;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Astrophysics;
- INTERSTELLAR: ABUNDANCES;
- INTERSTELLAR: MATTER;
- INTERSTELLAR: MOLECULES;
- MOLECULAR PROCESSES