Detection of H3+ in the diffuse interstellar medium toward Cygnus OB2 No. 12

The molecular ion H3+ is considered the cornerstone of interstellar chemistry because it initiates the reactions responsible for the production of many larger molecules. Recently discovered in dense molecular clouds, H3+ has now been observed in the diffuse interstellar medium toward Cygnus OB2 No....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1998-03, Vol.279 (5358), p.1910-1913
Main Authors: MCCALL, B. J, GEBALLE, T. R, HINKLE, K. H, OKA, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomical Phenomena
Astronomy
Atomic, molecular, chemical, and grain processes
Carbon Monoxide
Cations, Monovalent
Chemistry
Cosmic Dust
Cosmic Radiation
Cygnus (Constellation)
Discovery and exploration
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Extraterrestrial Environment
Interstellar hydrogen
Interstellar medium (ism) and nebulae in milky way
Mathematics
Observations
Organic Chemistry
Space life sciences
Star & galaxy formation
Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe
Temperature
Tritium
Vision
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Summary:The molecular ion H3+ is considered the cornerstone of interstellar chemistry because it initiates the reactions responsible for the production of many larger molecules. Recently discovered in dense molecular clouds, H3+ has now been observed in the diffuse interstellar medium toward Cygnus OB2 No. 12. Analysis of H3+ chemistry suggests that the high H3+ column density (3.8 x 10(14) per square centimeter) is due not to a high H3+ concentration but to a long absorption path. This and other work demonstrate the ubiquity of H3+ and its potential as a probe of the physical and chemical conditions in the interstellar medium.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.279.5358.1910