Widespread acetaldehyde near the galactic centre

Chengalur, J. N. ; Kanekar, N. (2003) Widespread acetaldehyde near the galactic centre Astronomy & Astrophysics, 403 (3). L43-L46. ISSN 0004-6361

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Official URL: http://www.aanda.org/index.php?option=com_article&...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20030577

Abstract

We present Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope images of the 1065 MHz emission from the 111→110 rotational transition of acetaldehyde (CH 3CHO) in the molecular cloud complex Sgr B2. Our observations are unique in that they have a high spatial resolution ( ~ 4"), while still being sensitive to large-scale emission. Most complex organic molecules in this cloud (e.g. acetone, methyl formate, acetic acid) are concentrated in a very small core, ~0.1 pc across. In contrast, acetaldehyde is found to be spread over a region at least 100 times larger in extent. The line emission is confined to regions with radio continuum emission and correlates well (in both position and velocity) with formaldehyde absorption towards this continuum; this is consistent with earlier single dish results suggesting that it is likely to be weakly mased. Our observations also suggest that grain mantle destruction by shocks plays an important role in the observed gas phase abundance of CH3CHO in Sgr B2.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to EDP Sciences.
Keywords:Galaxy: Centre; ISM: Clouds; ISM: Molecules: Astrochemistry; Radio Lines: ISM
ID Code:63527
Deposited On:29 Sep 2011 04:06
Last Modified:29 Sep 2011 04:06

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