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NASA NTRS1989

The optical counterpart of the X-ray source H0253+193 - A distant, high-luminosity RS Canum Venaticorum system

Optical and near-infrared photometry in the VRIJHK and CO (2.35 microns) bands and optical spectroscopy and polarimetry reveal that the optical counterpart of the X-ray source H0253+193 is most likely a RS CVn binary system. The results show a visual extinction of 11.3 mag to the star, with an IR excess possibly due a cooler binary companion or circumstellar material. It is suggested that the I-band polarization of 8.1 + or - 1.8 may be induced in the starlight by passage through the molecular cloud. The lack of strong H-alpha emission in the optical spectrum argues against the possibility of a classical T Tauri star, and the IR excess argues against a naked T Tauri star. The wide energy spectrum found in the dereddened optical and near-infrared photometry supports the binary star model.

Clemens, Dan P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The nature of AFGL 2591 and its associated molecular outflow: Infrared and millimeter-wave observations

The results of infrared photometry from 2 to 160 microns of AFGL and CO(12) observations of its associated molecular cloud and high velocity molecular outflow are presented and discussed. The observed solar luminosity is 6.7 x 10(4) at a distance of 2 kpc. The spectrum of AFGL 2591 is interpreted in the context of a model in which a single embedded object is the dominant source of the infrared luminosity. This object is determined to be surrounded by a compact, optically thick dust shell with a temperature in excess of several hundred degrees kelvin. The extinction to this source is estimated to be between 26 and 50 visual magnitudes. The absolute position of the infrared sources at 10 microns was determined to an accuracy of + or in. This indicates for the first time that the IR source and H2O source are not coincident. The CO(12) observations show the high-velocity molecular flow near AFGL 2591 to be extended, bipolar and roughly centered on the infrared emission. The observations suggest that the red-shifted flow component extends beyond the boundary of the ambient cloud within which AFGL 2591 is embedded. The CO(12) observations also show that AFGL 2591 is embedded in a molecular cloud with an LSR velocity of -5 km/s.

Lada, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The nature of AFGL 2591 and its associated molecular outflow Infrared and millimeter-wave observations

The results of infrared photometry from 2 to 160 microns of AFGL and CO(12) observations of its associated molecular cloud and high velocity molecular outflow are presented and discussed. The observed solar luminosity is 6.7 x 10(4) at a distance of 2 kpc. The spectrum of AFGL 2591 is interpreted in the context of a model in which a single embedded object is the dominant source of the infrared luminosity. This object is determined to be surrounded by a compact, optically thick dust shell with a temperature in excess of several hundred degrees kelvin. The extinction to this source is estimated to be between 26 and 50 visual magnitudes. The absolute position of the infrared sources at 10 microns was determined to an accuracy of + or - 1 in. This indicates for the first time that the IR source and H2O source are not coincident. The CO(12) observations show the high-velocity molecular flow near AFGL 2591 to be extended, bipolar and roughly centered on the infrared emission. The observations suggest that the red-shifted flow component extends beyond the boundary of the ambient cloud within which AFGL 2591 is embedded. The CO(12) observations also show that AFGL 2591 is embedded in a molecular cloud with an LSR velocity of -5 km/s.

Lada, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Far-infrared and CO observations of the W33 complex

The giant H II region W33 is a strong radio continuum source. However, it has received little attention compared to the nearby M17 region. The present investigation is concerned with the results of 1 min resolution far-infrared (far-IR) and CO observations of the W33 region. The complex has been resolved into several components at the far-IR wavelengths, and information has been obtained regarding spectral characteristics in the range from 20 to 250 microns. An examination is conducted of the nature of the individual W33 sources and their relationship to the radio sources and the molecular clouds. Particular attention is given to the nature of the unusual source W33 A which has a very high ratio of far-IR to radio luminosity.

Stier, M. T.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental and Theoretical Needs for the JWST Early Release Science Program on Radiative Feedback from Massive Stars (PDRs4ALL): III. A Quantum Chemistry Perspective

Massive stars disrupt their natal molecular cloud material by dissociating molecules, ionizing atoms and molecules, and heating the gas and dust. These processes drive the evolution of interstellar matter in our Galaxy and throughout the Universe from the era of vigorous star formation at z=1-3 to the present day. Much of this interaction occurs in Photo- Dissociation Regions (PDRs) where far-ultraviolet photons of these stars create a largely neutral, but warm region of gas and dust. PDR emission dominates the IR spectra of starforming galaxies and provides a unique tool to study the physical and chemical processes that are relevant for inter- and circumstellar media including diffuse clouds, molecular cloud and protoplanetary disk surfaces, and starburst galaxies. The ERS program ID1288 is dedicated to provide template data as well as data processing and analysis tools for PDRs. To this end, it will observe the Orion Bar, the proto-typical PDR situated in the nearby Orion Nebula, using NIRSpec IFU, MIRI IFU, and NIRCAM and MIRI imaging. These observations will, for the first time, spatially resolve and perform a tomography of the PDR, revealing the individual IR spectral signatures from the key zones and sub-regions within the ionized gas, the PDR, and the molecular cloud. Quantum chemistry can be used to determine molecular data such as ionization potentials, chemical reaction rates, electronic spectra, dissociation energies, channels, and branching ratios, etc. These are often used in synergy with experiment to take advantage of the strengths of each approach. An area of active research is modeling the infrared (IR) emission spectra produced by PAH molecules, including the effects of anharmonicity. This will be important in the interpretation of JWST data which will yield higher-resolution spectral data compared to Spitzer or ISO. Quantum chemistry methods can compute accurate anharmonic IR absorption spectra of PAH molecules up to about 25 C atoms, and the results have been benchmarked against high-resolution experimental spectra. These feed into a quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) approach to generate temperature-dependent anharmonic IR emission spectra and then used to generate fully anharmonic cascade emission IR spectra of PAH molecules -- the very type of spectra that JWST will observe. Work continues to extend these methods to larger PAH molecules. We will discuss the current state of this work, as well as

Timothy Lee↗

NASA NTRS2015

On the Use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Synthetic Calibration Spectra to Quantify Gas Concentrations in a Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst System

One possible origin of prebiotic organic material is that these compounds were formed via Fischer-Tropsch-type (FTT) reactions of carbon monoxide and hydrogen on silicate and oxide grains in the warm, inner-solar nebula. To investigate this possibility, an experimental system has been built in which the catalytic efficiency of different grain-analog materials can be tested. During such runs, the gas phase above these grain analogs is sampled using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. To provide quantitative estimates of the concentration of these gases, a technique in which high-resolution spectra of the gases are calculated using the high-resolution transmission molecular absorption (HITRAN) database is used. Next, these spectra are processed via a method that mimics the processes giving rise to the instrumental line shape of the FT-IR spectrometer, including apodization, self-apodization, and broadening due to the finite resolution. The result is a very close match between the measured and computed spectra. This technique was tested using four major gases found in the FTT reactions: carbon monoxide, methane, carbon dioxide, and water. For the ranges typical of the FTT reactions, the carbon monoxide results were found to be accurate to within 5% and the remaining gases accurate to within 10%. These spectra can then be used to generate synthetic calibration data, allowing the rapid computation of the gas concentrations in the FTT experiments.

Infrared Spectroscopy↗

NASA NTRS1999

Carbon chain abundance in the diffuse interstellar medium

Thanks to the mid-IR sensitivities of the ISO and IRTS orbiting spectrometers it is now possible to search the diffuse interstellar medium for heretofore inaccessible molecular emission. In view of the recent strong case for the presence of C(7-) (Kirkwood et al. 1998, Tulej et al. 1998),and the fact that carbon chains possess prominent infrared active modes in a very clean portion of the interstellar spectrum, we have analyzed the IRTS spectrum of the diffuse interstellar medium for the infrared signatures of these species. Theoretical and experimental infrared band frequencies and absolute intensities of many different carbon chain species are presented. These include cyanopolyynes, neutral and anionic linear carbon molecules, and neutral and ionized, even-numbered, hydrogenated carbon chains. We show that--as a family--these species have abundances in the diffuse ISM on the order of 10(-10) with respect to hydrogen, values consistent with their abundances in dense molecular clouds. Assuming an average length of 10 C atoms per C-chain implies that roughly a millionth of the cosmically available carbon is in the form of carbon chains and that carbon chains can account for a few percent of the visible to near-IR diffuse interstellar band (DIB) total equivalent width (not DIB number).

Carbon/analysis/chemistry↗

NASA NTRS1989

Millimeter continuum observations of the active star-forming core of M82

A small map of the 1.3-mm continuum emissioin from cool dust in the central starburst region of M82 is presented. The source is found to be less than about 45 arcsecs in extent and centered on the region of brightest IR emission. The total flux density at 1.3-mm is 1.3 + or - 0.3 Jy. The molecular hydrogen mass in M82 is 3 X 10 to the 8th solar masses, with an uncertainty of + or - 30 percent. An approximate correction to masses derived from long-wavelength photometry when the heavy element abundance is different from that of the solar neighborhood is discussed. This correction reduces the derived mass of M82 to about 1 X 10 to the 8th solar masses.

Thronson, H. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The discovery of a new infrared emission feature at 1905 wavenumbers (5.25 microns) in the spectrum of BD + 30 deg 3639 and its relation to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon model

A new IR emission feature at 1905/cm (5.25 microns) has been discovered in the spectrum of BD + 30 deg 3639. This feature joins the family of well-known IR emission features at 3040, 2940, 1750, 1610, '1310', 1160, and 890/cm. The origin of this new feature is discussed and it is assigned to an overtone or combination band involving C-H bending modes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Laboratory work suggests that spectral studies of the 2000-1650/cm region may be very useful in elucidating the molecular structure of interstellar PAHs. The new feature, in conjunction with other recently discovered spectral structures, suggests that the narrow IR emission features originate in PAH molecules rather than large carbon grains.

Allamandola, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Variations in the abundance of transiently heated particles within nearby molecular clouds

IRAS images of molecular clouds in the Chamaeleon, Taurus, and Ursa Major complexes show that the mid-IR emission from transiently heated particles is distributed very differently from the 100 micron emission from large dust grains. The ratio between 12 and 100 micron emission varies by more than one order of magnitude in each complex from about 5 times to about one-quarter of the average value in the solar neighborhood. Within a complex, color variations are seen on all scales. No significant variations of the I(v)(100 micron)/A(v) ratio are observed between clouds of widely different mid- to far-IR color. It is shown that neither the large amplitude of the color variations nor their morphology can be explained by changes of the excitation by the UV radiation field and it is concluded that the color variations trace variations in the abundance of transiently heated particles. A scenario is proposed which relates the abundance variations to the cycling of interstellar matter between the gas-phase and grain surfaces.

Boulanger, F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The unusual cometary star-forming region G110-13

We present far-IR, radio continuum, and spectral line observations of an unusual, highly elongated, comet-shaped molecular cloud, located about 100 pc from the Galactic plane. The presence of three late B-type stars embedded within, or adjacent to, this low-mass cloud implies a star-forming efficiency that may be as high as 30 percent. Several mechanisms that may have been responsible for its unusual morphology and high star-forming efficiency will be described and evaluated. Although ram-pressure resulting from the rapid motion of this cloud through the interstellar medium could explain its streamlined appearance, there is evidence that G110-13 is the compression front formed by a recent cloud collision.

Odenwald, Sten↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Understanding the Chemistry of PAHs in H2O Ice

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be incorporated into H O ice grains and mantles found in dense molecular clouds, comets, interplanetary dust particles (IDPs), and many Solar System objects. However, laboratory infrared (IR) spectroscopic studies of PAHs in ices is still a relatively young field. Early research efforts have shown the rich chemistry of PAHs in H O to be dependent on PAH concentration, with the concentration impacting everything from IR band shifts to the photoproducts produced [1-6]. Similarly, research suggests that a potential top-down synthesis route for complex organic molecules or COMs found within solar systems is possible from PAHs in water ice [7]. In order to fully exploit the observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) more IR studies of PAHs in H O ice under relevant astrophysical conditions and planetary systems are needed. The NASA ICEE (Institute for Carbon Evolution Experiments), formerly the NASA Ames PAH IR Laboratory, has been at the forefront of this field. Starting in 2019, just before the COVID-19 shutdown, the ICEE laboratory underwent a major renovation, gearing it towards in-depth PAHs in H O ice research under relevant solar systems and interstellar conditions. The ICEE facility enables us to study the processing of PAHs in H O ice using UV photons and charged particle (electron) irradiation either singly or in combination under ultra-high vacuum and low temperature (15K). We use in-situ measurements with IR, Raman, and mass spectra by which we monitor the chemistry of PAHs in H O ice before, during and after the irradiation. This presentation will summarize the past work regarding PAHs in ices and provide an update on the latest ICEE research results in this area, outlining a roadmap for future research efforts.

Andrew Mattioda↗

NASA NTRS2001

Identifying Organic Molecules in Space: The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX Mission Concept

Infrared spectroscopy in the 2.5-16 micron range is a principle means by which organic compounds are detected and identified in space. Ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne IR spectral studies have already demonstrated that a significant fraction of the carbon in the interstellar medium (ISM) resides in the form of complex organic molecular species. Unfortunately, neither the distribution of these materials nor their genetic and evolutionary relationships with each other or their environments are well understood. The Astrobiology Explorer (ABE) is a MIDEX mission concept currently under study at NASA's Ames Research Center in collaboration with Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation. ABE will conduct IR spectroscopic observations to address outstanding important problems in astrobiology, astrochemistry, and astrophysics. The core observational program would make fundamental scientific progress in understanding (1) the evolution of ices and organic matter in dense molecular clouds and young forming stellar systems, (2) the chemical evolution of organic molecules in the ISM as they transition from AGB outflows to planetary nebulae to the general diffuse ISM to H II regions and dense clouds, (3) the distribution of organics in the diffuse ISM, (4) the nature of organics in the Solar System (in comets, asteroids, satellites), and (5) the nature and distribution of organics in local galaxies. The technical considerations of achieving these science objectives in a MIDEX-sized mission will be described.

Sandford, Scott A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Optical depth of molecular gas in starburst galaxies - Is M82 the prototype?

An attempt is made to survey the CO(2-1) emission toward the centers of 17 IR-luminous galaxies which have previously been detected in CO(1-0). These galaxies span a wide range of size and L(FIR)/L(B) ratio, many have multiple-wavelength studies establishing them as starbursts, and some bear a morphological resemblance to M 82. Nine galaxies are detected and useful upper limits are placed on the remaining eight. Using the CO(2-1)/CO(1-0) ratio of antenna temperature as a diagnostic of optical depth, it is found that all of the galaxies contain predominantly optically thick molecular gas. This implies that the phase of starburst during which the molecular gas is optically thin, currently witnessed in M 82, is either uncommon or short-lived.

Verter, F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The discovery of a new infrared emission feature at 1905 wavenumbers (5.25 microns) in the spectrum of BD +30 degrees 3639 and its relation to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon model

We have discovered a new IR emission feature at 1905 cm-1 (5.25 microns) in the spectrum of BD +30 degrees 3639. This feature joins the family of well-known IR emission features at 3040, 2940, 1750, 1610, "1310," 1160, and 890 cm-1 (3.3, 3.4, 5.7, 6.2, "7.7," 8.6, and 11.2 microns). The origin of this new feature is discussed and it is assigned to an overtone or combination band involving C-H bending modes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Laboratory work suggests that spectral studies of the 2000-1650 cm-1 (5.0-6.1 microns) region may be very useful in elucidating the molecular structure of interstellar PAHs. The new feature, in conjunction with other recently discovered spectral structure, suggests that the narrow IR emission features originate in PAH molecules rather than large carbon grains. Larger species are likely to be the source of the broad underlying "plateaus" seen in many of the spectra.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

NASA NTRS1973

The application of far IR lasers to the investigation of the optical properties of materials

The effect of diffusion on the saturation and absorption properties of molecular gases is considered. The analysis starts with a simple derivation of the multi-level rate equations. Incorporating the diffusion term, calculations are carried out both for the homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening cases. Both graphical and analytical solutions are obtained for the absorption coefficient and the saturation intensity. It is shown that the effect of diffusion is characterized by a diffusion function, which varies inversely with the radius of the beam at low pressures and small beam sizes. The analysis is done in terms of two parameters k1a and k2a, which are simple functions of the intensity of the beam I, the effective relaxation rate w, and the effective diffusion constant D the a is designated as the radius of the beam.

Stafsudd, O. M.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Detecting and Identifying Organic Molecules in Space: The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX Mission Concept

Infrared spectroscopy in the 2.5-16 microns (4000-625/cm) range is a principle means by which organic compounds are detected and identified in space. Ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne IR spectral studies have already demonstrated that a significant fraction of the carbon in the interstellar medium (ISM) resides in the form of complex organic molecular species. Unfortunately, neither the distribution of these materials nor their genetic and evolutionary relationships with each other or their environments are well understood. The Astrobiology Explorer (ABE) is a MIDEX (Medium-class Explorer) mission concept currently under study at NASA's Ames Research Center in collaboration with Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation. ABE will conduct IR spectroscopic observations to address outstanding important problems in astrobiology, astrochemistry, and astrophysics. The core observational program would make fundamental scientific progress in understanding (1) the evolution of ices and organic matter in dense molecular clouds and young forming stellar systems, (2) the chemical evolution of organic molecules in the ISM as they transition from AGB outflows to planetary nebulae to the general diffuse ISM to H II regions and dense clouds, (3) the distribution of organics in the diffuse ISM, (4) the nature of organics in the Solar System (in comets, asteroids, satellites), and (5) the nature and distribution of organics in local galaxies. Both the scientific goals of the mission and how they would be achieved will be discussed.

Sandford, Scott A.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Detecting and Identifying Organic Molecules in Space - The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX Mission Concept

Infrared spectroscopy in the 2.5-16 micron (4000-625/cm) range is a principle means by which organic compounds are detected and identified in space. Ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne IR spectral studies have already demonstrated that a significant fraction of the carbon in the interstellar medium (ISM) resides in the form of complex organic molecular species. Unfortunately, neither the distribution of these materials nor their genetic and evolutionary relationships with each other or their environments are well understood. The Astrobiology Explorer (ABE) is a MIDEX (Medium-class Explorer) mission concept currently under study at NASA's Ames Research Center in collaboration with Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation. ABE will conduct IR spectroscopic observations to address outstanding important problems in astrobiology, astrochemistry, and astrophysics. The core observational program would make fundamental scientific progress in understanding (1) the evolution of ices and organic matter in dense molecular clouds and young forming stellar systems, (2) the chemical evolution of organic molecules in the ISM as they transition from AGB outflows to planetary nebulae to the general diffuse ISM to H II regions and dense clouds, (3) the distribution of organics in the diffuse ISM, (4) the nature of organics in the Solar System (in comets, asteroids, satellites), and (5) the nature and distribution of organics in local galaxies. Both the scientific goals of the mission and how they would be achieved will be discussed.

Sandford, Scott A.↗