Bow shocks in molecular clouds : H2 line strengths.
Abstract
It is demonstrated that molecular-hydrogen emission-line ratios can be utilized to distinguish between models for shocks in molecular clouds. Planar and curved shocks of both C- and J-type are compared. Specifically, line strengths are determined from a model for bow-shaped C-shocks under high-density molecular cloud conditions. The line ratios are independent of the bow speed once it exceeds the breakdown value (typically 30-50 km/s). This is because the H2 emitting section is simply shifted toward the bow tail at higher speeds. The line ratios are sensitive only to the shape of the bow, the (shock-stimulated) H2O abundance and the cloud density when the breakdown limit is determined by dissociation. This greatly restricts the predicted line ratios.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- February 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/248.3.451
- Bibcode:
- 1991MNRAS.248..451S
- Keywords:
-
- Bow Waves;
- Emission Spectra;
- H Lines;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Waves;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Shock Waves;
- Abundance;
- Gas Ionization;
- Magnetic Fields;
- Water;
- Astrophysics