Merlin Imaging Of Methanimine Molecule (CH2NH) In Arp 220
Abstract
In 2007, the pre-biotic molecule, methanimine (CH2NH), was detected in the Arecibo single-dish radio line spectrum of Arp 220. At a distance of 77 Mpc (z=0.018126), Arp 220 is the nearest Ultra-Luminous Infra-Red Galaxy (ULIRG), its IR luminosity arising from a powerful, dust-enshrouded starburst, triggered by the merger of two counter-rotating gas-rich galaxies. Evidence for this is provided by high resolution optical and radio images, revealing a double-nucleus structure with tidal tails, dust lanes and a large number of radio supernovae. Arp 220 is also the prototype OH megamaser galaxy, with VLBI maps of the 1665/1667 MHz transitions revealing complex emission regions. The object of our present study is to determine where in this complicated structure the site of the CH2NH molecules is located. To this end, we have acquired and imaged MERLIN observations of this line in Arp 220 at 40 mas resolution. We present both the results and our conclusions drawn from these in this poster.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #215
- Pub Date:
- January 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AAS...21541202Q