Accession Number:

ADA011146

Title:

The Galactic Distribution of Molecules (A CO Survey)(6),

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

OWENS VALLEY RADIO OBSERVATORY PASADENA CALIF

Personal Author(s):

• Scoville,N. Z.

Report Date:

1975-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

18.0

Abstract:

The J 1 to 0 emission of CO has been surveyed in the galactic plane between l -10 and 90 degrees with a 1 beam sampling every degree. Molecular clouds emitting in the CO line are plentiful over the inner region of the galaxy. Their greatest number occurs in the galactic nucleus and at a radius of 5.5 kpc - a distribution similar to radio H II regions but very different from that previously derived for atomic hydrogen. The total mass in molecular clouds is found, and each typically has an average density of 500cc, and a temperature of 7 K. These results suggest that most of the interstellar medium in the interior of the galaxy is molecular H2.

Descriptors:

• *CARBON MONOXIDE
• *INTERSTELLAR MATTER
• CLOUDS
• DENSITY
• MOLECULES
• SPECTRAL LINES
• GALAXIES
• EXTRATERRESTRIAL RADIO WAVES

Subject Categories:

• Astrophysics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE