NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012B-0227
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012B-0227 |
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PI: Nick Indriolo, Johns Hopkins University, indriolo@pha.jhu.edu
Address: Physics Department, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
CoI: Ben McCall, University of Illinois
CoI: Kyle Crabtree, University of Illinois
CoI: Jessica Pearson, University of Illinois
CoI: Tom Geballe, Gemini Observatory
CoI: Ken Hinkle, NOAO
Title: The Utility of H_3^+ Observations in Diffuse Molecular Clouds
Abstract: Observations of H_3^+ in diffuse molecular clouds have resulted in some surprising conclusions, including (1) cosmic-ray ionization rates higher than previously thought, (2) a distribution of cosmic-ray ionization rates that spans at least 1 order of magnitude, and (3) an \it ortho-to-\it para ratio that is not in thermal equilibrium with the cloud kinetic temperature. It remains unclear, however, whether or not location within the Galaxy plays a role in determining the cosmic- ray ionization rate in diffuse interstellar clouds, and on what length scales the cosmic-ray ionization rate varies. To aid in solving these puzzles, we propose to expand our survey of H_3^+ in northern hemisphere sight lines using \it Phoenix on the 4 m telescope at KPNO.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012B-0227 |
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