More Metal Cyanide Species: Detection of AlNC (X 1Σ+) toward IRC +10216
Abstract
A new metal-containing species, AlNC, has been detected toward the circumstellar envelope of the late-type carbon star IRC +10216, using the IRAM 30 m telescope. The J=11-->10, 12-->11, and 13-->12 rotational transitions at 2 mm and the J=18-->17 and J=21-->20 transitions at 1.2 mm of this linear, closed-shell molecule were observed in this object. The line profiles appear U-shaped, indicating a source >~20", and the horn-to-center ratios suggest a shell-like distribution. In contrast, the other two Al-bearing molecules previously detected, AlF and AlCl, exist exclusively near the stellar photosphere. Modeling of the detected transitions, assuming a spherical-shell distribution, indicates a column density of Ntot~9×1011 cm-2 and a fractional abundance relative to H2 of ~3×10-10 for AlNC. A rotational temperature of Trot~60 K was also derived for this molecule, suggesting that shock waves may be synthesizing AlNC in the outer envelope. This species is the fourth metal cyanide/isocyanide compound discovered in this object, along with MgNC, MgCN, and NaCN. These data suggest that cyanide/isocyanide species are the major molecular carriers of metals in circumstellar gas.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 2002
- DOI:
- 10.1086/338775
- Bibcode:
- 2002ApJ...564L..45Z
- Keywords:
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- Stars: Circumstellar Matter;
- ISM: Molecules;
- Line: Identification;
- Radio Lines: Stars;
- Stars: Individual: Alphanumeric: IRC +10216