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Detection of interstellar hydrogen sulfide in cold, dark clouds
Y C Minh1, W M Irvine, L M Ziurys
1Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.
The Astrophysical Journal
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Interstellar hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was detected in cold, dark clouds. Grain surface reactions may be key to H2S formation, challenging gas-phase theories.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Interstellar Medium Physics
- Molecular Cloud Chemistry
Background:
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a molecule of interest in interstellar chemistry.
- Previous models suggested gas-phase reactions are unlikely to form H2S in cold, dark clouds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and quantify interstellar hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in cold, dark clouds.
- To investigate the formation pathways of H2S in the interstellar medium.
Main Methods:
- Radioastronomical observations were used to detect H2S spectral lines.
- Column densities were derived from observed line intensities.
Main Results:
- Interstellar H2S was detected toward L134N and TMC 1.
- Column densities of approximately 2.6 x 10^13 cm^-2 (L134N) and 7.0 x 10^12 cm^-2 (TMC 1) were determined.
- Observed H2S abundances are inversely correlated with H2CS abundances.
Conclusions:
- Grain surface reactions are likely significant for H2S synthesis in cold, dark clouds.
- The observed inverse correlation between H2S and H2CS suggests competing formation pathways.
- Endothermic gas-phase reactions are unlikely to be the primary source of interstellar H2S.