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HCNH+: a new interstellar molecular ion.

L M Ziurys1, B E Turner

  • 1Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.

The Astrophysical Journal
|March 1, 1986
PubMed
Summary

Protonated hydrogen cyanide (HCNH+) was detected in interstellar space. Its unexpectedly high abundance suggests current models of interstellar chemistry may need revision regarding its formation or destruction.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrochemistry
  • Interstellar Medium Physics
  • Molecular Spectroscopy

Background:

  • The interstellar medium (ISM) is a complex environment where various molecules form and interact.
  • Understanding the abundance and formation pathways of molecular ions is crucial for deciphering ISM chemistry.
  • Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and its related ions are important tracers of chemical processes in star-forming regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first detection of the molecular ion protonated hydrogen cyanide (HCNH+) in the interstellar medium.
  • To determine the abundance and distribution of HCNH+ in the Sgr B2 star-forming region.
  • To compare observational results with theoretical predictions from ion-molecule models of interstellar chemistry.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of rotational transitions (J = 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2) of HCNH+ using radio astronomy.
  • Utilized a large velocity gradient (LVG) model to calculate the column density of HCNH+.
  • Compared the derived fractional abundance with predictions from established ion-molecule chemical models.

Main Results:

  • The molecular ion HCNH+ was successfully detected toward the Sgr B2 region.
  • The column density of HCNH+ was estimated to be approximately 4 x 10^14 cm^-2.
  • The fractional abundance of HCNH+ was found to be around 3 x 10^-10, significantly higher than theoretical predictions.

Conclusions:

  • The observed high abundance of HCNH+ in Sgr B2 is several orders of magnitude greater than predicted by current ion-molecule models.
  • This discrepancy suggests that either the rate of destruction of HCNH+ via dissociative recombination is slower than anticipated, or its formation rate is underestimated in theoretical models.
  • The findings highlight potential gaps in our understanding of interstellar ion-molecule chemistry and the specific role of HCNH+.
Keywords:
NASA Discipline ExobiologyNon-NASA Center

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