A multi-line study of the molecular interstellar medium on M82's starburst nucleus
Abstract
The excitation and morphology of the molecular gas in the nucleus of the starburst galaxy was studied using CO and HCN molecular line emissions. Observations and results are presented. Information on cloud structure, based on interpretation of optically thick emission lines from M82's nucleus, is discussed. Column densities and mass distributions derived from optically thin lines are discussed. Optical depth effects in the low excitation lines are large enough to mark a vigorous star formation region near the nucleus. The argumentation supporting this picture is presented.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- January 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992STIN...9311347W
- Keywords:
-
- Emission Spectra;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Line Spectra;
- Molecular Excitation;
- Molecular Gases;
- Molecular Spectra;
- Starburst Galaxies;
- Galaxies;
- Infrared Radiation;
- Mass Distribution;
- Morphology;
- Observation;
- Radiative Transfer;
- Star Formation;
- Astrophysics