Three New Intermediate-Velocity Molecular Clouds in the Northern Galactic Hemisphere
Abstract
We report the detection in the CO(J=1-0) transition of 3 new intermediate-velocity molecular clouds at high Galactic latitude in the Northern Galactic Hemisphere. These 3 objects nearly double the number of previously-known high-latitude molecular clouds with intermediate velocities (v_${LSR}$ $\le$ $-$20 km/s). In order to detect the CO(J=1-0) line, N(H$_2$) values of at least 10$^{19}$ cm$^{-2}$ are necessary, implying that the molecular/atomic fraction of these objects is significant; these clouds are primarily molecular, in contrast to the primarily atomic lines of sight with log N(H$_2$) < 17.3 detected in absorption by FUSE. The three molecular clouds are projected on and likely associated with a previously-known intermediate velocity feature known as the Intermediate Velocity Spur that may extend to the Galactic Halo. All three clouds are located in a 12 deg x 4 deg region and may be related. Morphologically, they are embedded in a large filamentary dust structure that extends past b = +60 deg.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #220
- Pub Date:
- May 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AAS...22013402S