Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Bringing the Visible Universe into Focus with Robo-AO
Published on: February 12, 2013
Large-Scale Mapping Observations of the C i (3P1-3P0) and CO (J = 3-2) Lines toward the Orion A Molecular Cloud
Abstract:
Large-scale mapping observations of the 3P1-3P0 fine-structure transition of atomic carbon (C i, 492 GHz) and the J=3-2 transition of CO (346 GHz) toward the Orion A molecular cloud have been carried out with the Mount Fuji submillimeter-wave telescope. The observations cover 9 deg2 and include the Orion Nebula M42 and the L1641 dark cloud complex. The C i emission extends over almost the entire region of the Orion A cloud and is surprisingly similar to that of 13CO (J=1-0). The CO (J=3-2) emission shows a more featureless and extended distribution than C i. The C i/CO (J=3-2) integrated intensity ratio shows a spatial gradient running from the north (0.10) to the south (1.2) of the Orion A cloud, which we interpret as a consequence of the temperature gradient. On the other hand, the C i/13CO (J=1-0) intensity ratio shows no systematic gradient. We have found a good correlation between the C i and 13CO (J=1-0) intensities over the Orion A cloud. This result is discussed on the basis of photodissociation region models.
Related Concept Videos
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
IR Spectrometers
IR Spectrum Peak Intensity: Dipole Moment
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation

