UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF THE MOST DEFINITIVE MOLECULAR TRACER OF UV-ENHANCEMENT: l-C₃H⁺

Lipnicky, Andy

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122599 Copy

Description

Title

UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF THE MOST DEFINITIVE MOLECULAR TRACER OF UV-ENHANCEMENT: l-C₃H⁺

Author(s)

Lipnicky, Andy

Contributor(s)

• McGuire, Brett A.
• Brogan, Crystal L.
• Loomis, Ryan A

Issue Date

2023-06-22

Keyword(s)

Astronomy

Abstract

The interstellar molecule l-C₃H⁺ appears to be the most sensitive and definitive molecular tracer of enhanced UV-flux ever observed in the ISM. Extensive, deep searches for this species in dozens of sources show its presence nearly exclusively in UV-enhanced regions. Yet, our understanding of the spatial distribution of the molecule within these sources, and the excitation conditions (and abundances) in previously-observed regions, is sorely lacking. I will discuss recent ALMA observations of l-C₃H⁺ in the Horsehead PDR region that have revealed an unexpected large-scale distribution of l-C₃H⁺. With these data we wish to better understand the spatial distribution, abundance, and excitation of this potentially transformational molecule in our ability to probe the extent of UV-enhanced flux in these and other key regions. The results will be used to refine state-of-the-art PDR chemical modeling codes.

Publisher

International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy

Type of Resource

Text

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122599

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15278/isms.2023.7100

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