A Search for Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) toward Select Astronomical Sources

Observations of 14 rotational transitions of hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) using the NRAO 12 m telescope on Kitt Peak are reported toward IRC+10216, Orion KL, Orion S, Sgr B2(N), Sgr B2(OH), W3IRS5, and W51M. Although recent models suggest the presence of NH₂OH in high abundance, these observations resulted in non-detection. Upper limits are calculated to be as much as six orders of magnitude lower than those predicted by models. Possible explanations for the lower-than-expected abundance are explored.