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The HyGAL SOFIA legacy program surveys six hydride molecules -- ArH+, OH+, H2O+, SH, OH, and CH -- and two atomic constituents -- C+ and O -- within the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) by means of absorption-line spectroscopy toward 25 bright Galactic background continuum sources. This detailed spectroscopic study is designed to exploit the unique value of specific hydrides as tracers and probes of different phases of the ISM, as demonstrated by recent studies with the Herschel Space Observatory. The observations performed under the HyGAL program will allow us to address several questions related to the lifecycle of molecular material in the ISM and the physical processes that impact its phase transition, such as: (1) What is the distribution function of the H2 fraction in the ISM? (2) How does the ionization rate due to low-energy cosmic-rays vary within the Galaxy? (3) What is the nature of interstellar turbulence, and what mechanisms lead to its dissipation? This overview discusses the observing strategy, synergies with ancillary and archival observations, the data reduction and analysis schemes adopted; and presents the first results obtained toward three of the survey targets, W3(OH), W3IRS5 and NGC7538IRS1. Robust measurements of the column densities of these hydrides -- obtained through widespread observations of absorption lines-- help address the questions raised, and there is a timely synergy between these observations and the development of theoretical models, particularly pertaining to the formation of H2 within the turbulent ISM. The provision of enhanced HyGAL data products will therefore serve as a legacy for future ISM studies., Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

The HyGAL Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy legacy program surveys six hydride molecules-ArH+, OH+, H2O+, SH, OH, and CH-and two atomic constituents-C+ and O-within the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) by means of absorption-line spectroscopy toward 25 bright Galactic background continuum sources. This detailed spectroscopic study is designed to exploit the unique value of specific hydrides as tracers and probes of different phases of the ISM, as demonstrated by recent studies with the Herschel Space Observatory. The observations performed under the HyGAL program will allow us to address several questions related to the life cycle of molecular material in the ISM and the physical processes that impact the phase transition from atomic to molecular gas, such as: (1) What is the distribution function of the H-2 fraction in the ISM? (2) How does the ionization rate due to low-energy cosmic rays vary within the Galaxy? (3) What is the nature of interstellar turbulence (e.g., typical shear or shock velocities), and what mechanisms lead to its dissipation? In this overview, we discuss the observing strategy, the synergies with ancillary and archival observations of other small molecules, and the data reduction and analysis schemes we adopted; and we present the first results obtained toward three of the survey targets, W3(OH), W3 IRS5, and NGC 7538 IRS1. Robust measurements of the column densities of these hydrides-obtained through widespread observations of absorption lines-help address the questions raised, and there is a very timely synergy between these observations and the development of theoretical models, particularly pertaining to the formation of H-2 within the turbulent ISM. The provision of enhanced HyGAL data products will therefore serve as a legacy for future ISM studies.

The HyGAL SOFIA legacy program surveys six hydride molecules -- ArH+, OH+, H2O+, SH, OH, and CH -- and two atomic constituents -- C+ and O -- within the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) by means of absorption-line spectroscopy toward 25 bright Galactic background continuum sources. This detailed spectroscopic study is designed to exploit the unique value of specific hydrides as tracers and probes of different phases of the ISM, as demonstrated by recent studies with the Herschel Space Observatory. The observations performed under the HyGAL program will allow us to address several questions related to the lifecycle of molecular material in the ISM and the physical processes that impact its phase transition, such as: (1) What is the distribution function of the H2 fraction in the ISM? (2) How does the ionization rate due to low-energy cosmic-rays vary within the Galaxy? (3) What is the nature of interstellar turbulence, and what mechanisms lead to its dissipation? This overview discusses the observing strategy, synergies with ancillary and archival observations, the data reduction and analysis schemes adopted; and presents the first results obtained toward three of the survey targets, W3(OH), W3IRS5 and NGC7538IRS1. Robust measurements of the column densities of these hydrides -- obtained through widespread observations of absorption lines-- help address the questions raised, and there is a timely synergy between these observations and the development of theoretical models, particularly pertaining to the formation of H2 within the turbulent ISM. The provision of enhanced HyGAL data products will therefore serve as a legacy for future ISM studies., Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Recent submillimeter and far-infrared wavelength observations of absorption in the rotational ground-state lines of various simple molecules against distant Galactic continuum sources have opened the possibility of studying the chemistry of diffuse molecular clouds throughout the Milky Way. In order to calculate abundances, the column densities of molecular and atomic hydrogen, HI, must be known. We aim at determining the atomic hydrogen column densities for diffuse clouds located on the sight lines toward a sample of prominent high-mass star-forming regions that were intensely studied with the HIFI instrument onboard Herschel. Based on Jansky Very Large Array data, we employ the 21 cm HI absorption-line technique to construct profiles of the HI opacity versus radial velocity toward our target sources. These profiles are combined with lower resolution archival data of extended HI emission to calculate the HI column densities of the individual clouds along the sight lines. We employ Bayesian inference to estimate the uncertainties of the derived quantities. Our study delivers reliable estimates of the atomic hydrogen column density for a large number of diffuse molecular clouds at various Galactocentric distances. Together with column densities of molecular hydrogen derived from its surrogates observed with HIFI, the measurements can be used to characterize the clouds and investigate the dependence of their chemistry on the molecular fraction, for example., Comment: 36 pages, 26 figures; A&A in press

Recent submillimeter and far-infrared wavelength observations of absorption in the rotational ground-state lines of various simple molecules against distant Galactic continuum sources have opened the possibility of studying the chemistry of diffuse molecular clouds throughout the Milky Way. In order to calculate abundances, the column densities of molecular and atomic hydrogen, HI, must be known. We aim at determining the atomic hydrogen column densities for diffuse clouds located on the sight lines toward a sample of prominent high-mass star-forming regions that were intensely studied with the HIFI instrument onboard Herschel. Based on Jansky Very Large Array data, we employ the 21 cm HI absorption-line technique to construct profiles of the HI opacity versus radial velocity toward our target sources. These profiles are combined with lower resolution archival data of extended HI emission to calculate the HI column densities of the individual clouds along the sight lines. We employ Bayesian inference to estimate the uncertainties of the derived quantities. Our study delivers reliable estimates of the atomic hydrogen column density for a large number of diffuse molecular clouds at various Galactocentric distances. Together with column densities of molecular hydrogen derived from its surrogates observed with HIFI, the measurements can be used to characterize the clouds and investigate the dependence of their chemistry on the molecular fraction, for example., Comment: 36 pages, 26 figures; A&A in press

The relative populations in rotational transitions of CO can be useful for inferring gas conditions and excitation mechanisms at work in the interstellar medium. We present CO emission lines from rotational transitions observed with Herschel/HIFI in the star-forming cores Orion S, Orion KL, Sgr B2(M), and W49N. Integrated line fluxes from these observations are combined with those from Herschel/PACS observations of the same sources to construct CO spectral line energy distributions (SLEDs) from 5 ≤ J ≤ 48. These CO SLEDs are compared to those reported in other galaxies, with the intention of empirically determining which mechanisms dominate excitation in such systems. We find that CO SLEDs in Galactic star-forming cores cannot be used to reproduce those observed in other galaxies, although the discrepancies arise primarily as a result of beam filling factors. The much larger regions sampled by the Herschel beams at distances of several megaparsecs contain significant amounts of cooler gas, which dominate the extragalactic CO SLEDs, in contrast to observations of Galactic star-forming regions, which are focused specifically on cores containing primarily hot molecular gas.

Hydrides are simple compounds containing one or a few hydrogen atoms bonded to a heavier atom. They are fundamental precursor molecules in cosmic chemistry and many hydride ions have become observable in high quality for the first time thanks to the Herschel Space Observatory. Ionized hydrides, such as CH+ and OH+, and also HCO+ that affect the chemistry of molecules such as water, provide complementary information on irradiation by far UV (FUV) or X-rays and gas temperature. The targeted lines of CH+, OH+, H2O+, C+ and CH are detected mostly in blue-shifted absorption. H3O+ and SH+ are detected in emission and only toward some high-mass objects. The observed line parameters and correlations suggest two different origins, related to gas entrained by the outflows and to the circumstellar envelope. The column density ratios of CH+/OH+ are estimated from chemical slab models, assuming that the H2 density is given by the specific density model of each object at the beam radius. For the low-mass YSOs the observed ratio can be reproduced for an FUV flux of 2-400 times the ISRF at the location of the molecules. In two high-mass objects, the UV flux is 20-200 times the ISRF derived from absorption lines, and 300-600 ISRF using emission lines. If the FUV flux required for low-mass objects originates at the central protostar, a substantial FUV luminosity, up to 1.5 L_sun, is required. There is no molecular evidence for X-ray induced chemistry in the low-mass objects on the observed scales of a few 1000 AU. For high-mass regions, the FUV flux required to produce the observed molecular ratios is smaller than the unattenuated flux expected from the central object(s) at the Herschel beam radius. This is consistent with an FUV flux reduced by circumstellar extinction or by bloating of the protostar., Comment: 40 pages, 97 figures, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics

Hydrides are simple compounds containing one or a few hydrogen atoms bonded to a heavier atom. They are fundamental precursor molecules in cosmic chemistry and many hydride ions have become observable in high quality for the first time thanks to the Herschel Space Observatory. Ionized hydrides, such as CH+ and OH+, and also HCO+ that affect the chemistry of molecules such as water, provide complementary information on irradiation by far UV (FUV) or X-rays and gas temperature. The targeted lines of CH+, OH+, H2O+, C+ and CH are detected mostly in blue-shifted absorption. H3O+ and SH+ are detected in emission and only toward some high-mass objects. The observed line parameters and correlations suggest two different origins, related to gas entrained by the outflows and to the circumstellar envelope. The column density ratios of CH+/OH+ are estimated from chemical slab models, assuming that the H2 density is given by the specific density model of each object at the beam radius. For the low-mass YSOs the observed ratio can be reproduced for an FUV flux of 2-400 times the ISRF at the location of the molecules. In two high-mass objects, the UV flux is 20-200 times the ISRF derived from absorption lines, and 300-600 ISRF using emission lines. If the FUV flux required for low-mass objects originates at the central protostar, a substantial FUV luminosity, up to 1.5 L_sun, is required. There is no molecular evidence for X-ray induced chemistry in the low-mass objects on the observed scales of a few 1000 AU. For high-mass regions, the FUV flux required to produce the observed molecular ratios is smaller than the unattenuated flux expected from the central object(s) at the Herschel beam radius. This is consistent with an FUV flux reduced by circumstellar extinction or by bloating of the protostar., Comment: 40 pages, 97 figures, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics

[Context] Hydrides are simple compounds containing one or a few hydrogen atoms bonded to a heavier atom. They are fundamental precursor molecules in cosmic chemistry and many hydride ions have become observable in high quality for the first time thanks to the Herschel Space Observatory. Ionized hydrides such as CH+ and OH+ (and also HCO+), which affect the chemistry of molecules such as water, provide complementary information on irradiation by far-UV (FUV) or X-rays and gas temperature., [Aims] We explore hydrides of the most abundant heavier elements in an observational survey covering young stellar objects (YSOs) with different mass and evolutionary state. The focus is on hydrides associated with the dense protostellar envelope and outflows, contrary to previous work that focused on hydrides in diffuse foreground clouds., [Methods] Twelve YSOs were observed with HIFI on Herschel in six spectral settings providing fully velocity-resolved line profiles as part of the Water in star-forming regions with Herschel (WISH) program. The YSOs include objects of low (Class 0 and I), intermediate, and high mass, with luminosities ranging from 4 L⊙ to 2 × 105 L⊙., [Results] The targeted lines of CH+, OH+, H2O+, C+, and CH are detected mostly in blue-shifted absorption. H3O+ and SH+ are detected in emission and only toward some high-mass objects. The observed line parameters and correlations suggest two different origins related to gas entrained by the outflows and to the circumstellar envelope. The derived column densities correlate with bolometric luminosity and envelope mass for all molecules, best for CH, CH+, and HCO+. The column density ratios of CH+/OH+ are estimated from chemical slab models, assuming that the H2 density is given by the specific density model of each object at the beam radius. For the low-mass YSOs the observed ratio can be reproduced for an FUV flux of 2–400 times the interstellar radiation field (ISRF) at the location of the molecules. In two high-mass objects, the UV flux is 20–200 times the ISRF derived from absorption lines, and 300–600 ISRF using emission lines. Upper limits for the X-ray luminosity can be derived from H3O+ observations for some low-mass objects., [Conclusions] If the FUV flux required for low-mass objects originates at the central protostar, a substantial FUV luminosity, up to 1.5 L⊙, is required. There is no molecular evidence for X-ray induced chemistry in the low-mass objects on the observed scales of a few 1000 AU. For high-mass regions, the FUV flux required to produce the observed molecular ratios is smaller than the unattenuated flux expected from the central object(s) at the Herschel beam radius. This is consistent with an FUV flux reduced by circumstellar extinction or by bloating of the protostar.

The chemistry in the diffuse interstellar medium initiates the gradual increase of molecular complexity during the life cycle of matter. A key molecule that enables build-up of new molecular bonds and new molecules via proton-donation is H3+. Its evolution is tightly related to molecular hydrogen and thought to be well understood. However, recent observations of ortho and para lines of H2 and H3+ in the diffuse ISM showed a puzzling discrepancy in nuclear spin excitation temperatures and populations between these two key species. H3+, unlike H2, seems to be out of thermal equilibrium, contrary to the predictions of modern astrochemical models. We conduct the first time-dependent modeling of the para-fractions of H2 and H3+ in the diffuse ISM and compare our results to a set of line-of-sight observations, including new measurements presented in this study. We isolate a set of key reactions for H3+ and find that the destruction of the lowest rotational states of H3+ by dissociative recombination largely control its ortho/para ratio. A plausible agreement with observations cannot be achieved unless a ratio larger than 1:5 for the destruction of (1,1)- and (1,0)-states of H3+ is assumed. Additionally, an increased CR ionization rate to 10(-15) 1/s further improves the fit whereas variations of other individual physical parameters, such as density and chemical age, have only a minor effect on the predicted ortho/para ratios. Thus our study calls for new laboratory measurements of the dissociative recombination rate and branching ratio of the key ion H3+ under interstellar conditions., Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

Aims. We describe the assignment of a previously unidentified interstellar absorption line to ArH+ and discuss its relevance in the context of hydride absorption in diffuse gas with a low H-2 fraction. The confidence of the assignment to ArH+ is discussed, and the column densities are determined toward several lines of sight. The results are then discussed in the framework of chemical models, with the aim of explaining the observed column densities. Methods. We fitted the spectral lines with multiple velocity components, and determined column densities from the line-to-continuum ratio. The column densities of ArH+ were compared to those of other species, tracing interstellar medium (ISM) components with different H-2 abundances. We constructed chemical models that take UV radiation and cosmic ray ionization into account. Results. Thanks to the detection of two isotopologues, (ArH+)-Ar-36 and (ArH+)-Ar-38, we are confident about the carrier assignment to NeH+. is not detected with a limit of [NeH+]/[ArH+] <= 0.1. The derived column densities agree well with the predictions of chemical models. ArH+ is a unique tracer of gas with a fractional H-2 abundance of 10(-4)-10(-3) and shows little correlation to H2O+, which traces gas with a fractional H2 abundance of Conclusions. A careful analysis of variations in the ArH+, OH, H2O+, and HF column densities promises to be a faithful tracer of the distribution of the H-2 fractional abundance by providing unique information on a poorly known phase in the cycle of interstellar matter and on its transition from atomic diffuse gas to dense molecular gas traced by CO emission. Abundances of these species put strong observational constraints upon magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations of the interstellar medium, and potentially could evolve into a tool characterizing the ISM. Paradoxically, the ArH+ molecule is a better tracer of almost purely atomic hydrogen gas than Hi itself. since Hi can also be present in gas with a significa

Aims. We describe the assignment of a previously unidentified interstellar absorption line to ArH+ and discuss its relevance in the context of hydride absorption in diffuse gas with a low H-2 fraction. The confidence of the assignment to ArH+ is discussed, and the column densities are determined toward several lines of sight. The results are then discussed in the framework of chemical models, with the aim of explaining the observed column densities. Methods. We fitted the spectral lines with multiple velocity components, and determined column densities from the line-to-continuum ratio. The column densities of ArH+ were compared to those of other species, tracing interstellar medium (ISM) components with different H-2 abundances. We constructed chemical models that take UV radiation and cosmic ray ionization into account. Results. Thanks to the detection of two isotopologues, (ArH+)-Ar-36 and (ArH+)-Ar-38, we are confident about the carrier assignment to NeH+. is not detected with a limit of [NeH+]/[ArH+] <= 0.1. The derived column densities agree well with the predictions of chemical models. ArH+ is a unique tracer of gas with a fractional H-2 abundance of 10(-4)-10(-3) and shows little correlation to H2O+, which traces gas with a fractional H2 abundance of Conclusions. A careful analysis of variations in the ArH+, OH, H2O+, and HF column densities promises to be a faithful tracer of the distribution of the H-2 fractional abundance by providing unique information on a poorly known phase in the cycle of interstellar matter and on its transition from atomic diffuse gas to dense molecular gas traced by CO emission. Abundances of these species put strong observational constraints upon magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations of the interstellar medium, and potentially could evolve into a tool characterizing the ISM. Paradoxically, the ArH+ molecule is a better tracer of almost purely atomic hydrogen gas than Hi itself. since Hi can also be present in gas with a significa

The chemistry in the diffuse interstellar medium initiates the gradual increase of molecular complexity during the life cycle of matter. A key molecule that enables build-up of new molecular bonds and new molecules via proton-donation is H3+. Its evolution is tightly related to molecular hydrogen and thought to be well understood. However, recent observations of ortho and para lines of H2 and H3+ in the diffuse ISM showed a puzzling discrepancy in nuclear spin excitation temperatures and populations between these two key species. H3+, unlike H2, seems to be out of thermal equilibrium, contrary to the predictions of modern astrochemical models. We conduct the first time-dependent modeling of the para-fractions of H2 and H3+ in the diffuse ISM and compare our results to a set of line-of-sight observations, including new measurements presented in this study. We isolate a set of key reactions for H3+ and find that the destruction of the lowest rotational states of H3+ by dissociative recombination largely control its ortho/para ratio. A plausible agreement with observations cannot be achieved unless a ratio larger than 1:5 for the destruction of (1,1)- and (1,0)-states of H3+ is assumed. Additionally, an increased CR ionization rate to 10(-15) 1/s further improves the fit whereas variations of other individual physical parameters, such as density and chemical age, have only a minor effect on the predicted ortho/para ratios. Thus our study calls for new laboratory measurements of the dissociative recombination rate and branching ratio of the key ion H3+ under interstellar conditions., Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

We would like to understand the chemistry of dense clouds and their hot cores more quantitatively by obtaining more complete knowledge of the chemical species present in them. We have obtained high-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy at 3-4 um toward the bright infrared source CRL 2136. The fundamental vibration-rotation band of HCl has been detected within a dense cloud for the first time. The HCl is probably located in the warm compact circumstellar envelope or disk of CRL 2136. The fractional abundance of HCl is (4.9-8.7)e-8, indicating that approximately 20 % of the elemental chlorine is in gaseous HCl. The kinetic temperature of the absorbing gas is 250 K, half the value determined from infrared spectroscopy of 13CO and water. The percentage of chlorine in HCl is approximately that expected for gas at this temperature. The reason for the difference in temperatures between the various molecular species is unknown., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, A&A in press

We present a 52-671um spectral scan toward SgrA* taken with the PACS and SPIRE spectrometers onboard Herschel. The achieved angular resolution allows us to separate, for the first time at far-IR wavelengths, the emission toward the central cavity (gas in the inner central parsec of the galaxy) from that of the surrounding circum-nuclear disk. The spectrum toward SgrA* is dominated by strong [OIII], [OI], [CII], [NIII], [NII], and [CI] fine structure lines (in decreasing order of luminosity) arising in gas irradiated by UV-photons from the central stellar cluster. In addition, rotationally excited lines of 12CO (from J=4-3 to 24-23), 13CO, H2O, OH, H3O+, HCO+ and HCN, as well as ground-state absorption lines of OH+, H2O+, H3O+, CH+, H2O, OH, HF, CH and NH are detected. The excitation of the 12CO ladder is consistent with a hot isothermal component at Tk ~ 10^{3.1} K and n(H2)< 10^4 cm^{-3}. It is also consistent with a distribution of temperature components at higher density with most CO at Tk<300 K. The detected molecular features suggest that, at present, neither very enhanced X-ray, nor cosmic-ray fluxes play a dominant role in the heating of the hot molecular gas. The hot CO component (either the bulk of the CO column or just a small fraction depending on the above scenario) results from a combination of UV- and shock-driven heating. If irradiated dense clumps/clouds do not exist, shocks likely dominate the heating of the hot molecular gas. This is consistent with the high-velocity gas detected toward SgrA*., Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

We would like to understand the chemistry of dense clouds and their hot cores more quantitatively by obtaining more complete knowledge of the chemical species present in them. We have obtained high-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy at 3-4 um toward the bright infrared source CRL 2136. The fundamental vibration-rotation band of HCl has been detected within a dense cloud for the first time. The HCl is probably located in the warm compact circumstellar envelope or disk of CRL 2136. The fractional abundance of HCl is (4.9-8.7)e-8, indicating that approximately 20 % of the elemental chlorine is in gaseous HCl. The kinetic temperature of the absorbing gas is 250 K, half the value determined from infrared spectroscopy of 13CO and water. The percentage of chlorine in HCl is approximately that expected for gas at this temperature. The reason for the difference in temperatures between the various molecular species is unknown., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, A&A in press

We present a 52-671um spectral scan toward SgrA* taken with the PACS and SPIRE spectrometers onboard Herschel. The achieved angular resolution allows us to separate, for the first time at far-IR wavelengths, the emission toward the central cavity (gas in the inner central parsec of the galaxy) from that of the surrounding circum-nuclear disk. The spectrum toward SgrA* is dominated by strong [OIII], [OI], [CII], [NIII], [NII], and [CI] fine structure lines (in decreasing order of luminosity) arising in gas irradiated by UV-photons from the central stellar cluster. In addition, rotationally excited lines of 12CO (from J=4-3 to 24-23), 13CO, H2O, OH, H3O+, HCO+ and HCN, as well as ground-state absorption lines of OH+, H2O+, H3O+, CH+, H2O, OH, HF, CH and NH are detected. The excitation of the 12CO ladder is consistent with a hot isothermal component at Tk ~ 10^{3.1} K and n(H2)< 10^4 cm^{-3}. It is also consistent with a distribution of temperature components at higher density with most CO at Tk<300 K. The detected molecular features suggest that, at present, neither very enhanced X-ray, nor cosmic-ray fluxes play a dominant role in the heating of the hot molecular gas. The hot CO component (either the bulk of the CO column or just a small fraction depending on the above scenario) results from a combination of UV- and shock-driven heating. If irradiated dense clumps/clouds do not exist, shocks likely dominate the heating of the hot molecular gas. This is consistent with the high-velocity gas detected toward SgrA*., Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

The Galactic centre (GC), in particular the interstellar material in the immediate vicinity (<5 pc) of the central black hole, represents a unique environment for our understanding of galactic nuclei and galaxy evolution. At a distance d = 8.0 ± 0.5 kpc, the nucleus of our galaxy is a few hundred times closer than the nearest active galactic nuclei (AGNs), thus allowing high spatial resolution studies. Owing to the lower dust extinction at far-IR/Submm wavelengths and because of the strong emission/absorption from the interstellar component related to AGN, star formation activity and the diffuse clouds along the line-of-sight, the relevance of far-IR/Submm spectroscopy to characterise extragalactic nuclei has notably increased thanks to Herschel. The spectrum of the Milky Way¿s nucleus is obviously a key template. In this contribution, we present observations toward the GC taken with the PACS, SPIRE and HIFI spectrometers. The achieved angular resolution allows us to separate, for the first time at these wavelengths, the emission toward the central cavity (gas in the inner central parsec of the galaxy) from that of the surrounding circumnuclear disk (the CND). The spectrum toward Sgr A* is dominated by strong [O iii], [O i], [C ii], [N iii], [N ii], and [C i] fine-structure lines (in decreasing order of luminosity) arising in gas irradiated by UV photons from the central stellar cluster. In addition, rotationally excited lines of 12CO, 13CO, H2O, OH, H3O+, HCO+, and HCN, as well as ground-state absorption lines of OH+, H2O+, H3O+, CH+, H2O, OH, HF, CH, and NH are detected. The excitation of the 12CO ladder is consistent with a hot isothermal component at Tk ¿ 10^3.1 K and n(H2)~10^4 cm¿3. It is also consistent with a distribution of temperature components at higher density with most CO at Tk~300 K. The detected molecular features suggest that, at present, neither very enhanced X-ray nor cosmic-ray fluxes play a dominant role in the heating of the hot molecular gas.

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

CH3+ is an important molecular ion in the astrochemistry of diffuse clouds, dense clouds, cometary comae, and planetary ionospheres. However, the rate of one of the major destruction mechanisms of CH3+, dissociative recombination (DR), has long been uncertain, hindering the use of CH3+ as an astrochemical probe. Here, we present the first absolute measurement of the DR of vibrationally cold CH3+, which has been made using the heavy storage ring CRYRING in Stockholm, Sweden. From our collision-energy-dependent cross sections, we infer a thermal rate constant of k(T) = 6.97(+/- 0.03) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.61(+/- 0.01)) cm(3) s(-1) over the region 10 K <= T <= 1000 K. At low collision energies, we have measured the branching fractions of the DR products to be CH3 (0.00(- 0.00)(+ 0.01)), CH2 + H (0.35(-0.01)(+ 0.01)), CH + 2H (0.20(-0.02)(+0.02)), CH + H-2 (0.10(-0.01)(+0.01)), and C + H-2 + H (0.35(-0.02)(+ 0.01)), indicating that two or more C-H bonds are broken in 65% of all collisions. We also present vibrational calculations which indicate that the CH3+ ions in the storage ring were relaxed to the vibrational ground state by spontaneous emission during the storage time. Finally, we discuss the implications of these new measurements for the observation of CH3+ in regions of the diffuse interstellar medium where CH+ is abundant., AuthorCount:12

We present follow-up observations to those of Geballe & Oka (2010), who found high column densities of H3+ ~100 pc off of the Galactic center (GC) on the lines of sight to 2MASS J17432173-2951430 (J1743) and 2MASS J17470898-2829561 (J1747). The wavelength coverages on these sightlines have been extended in order to observe two key transitions of H3+, R(3,3)l and R(2,2)l, that constrain the temperatures and densities of the environments. The profiles of the H3+ R(3,3)l line, which is due only to gas in the GC, closely matches the differences between the H3+ R(1,1)l and CO line profiles, just as it does for previously studied sightlines in the GC. Absorption in the R(2,2)l line of H3+ is present in J1747 at velocities between -60 and +100 km/s. This is the second clear detection of this line in the interstellar medium after GCIRS 3 in the Central Cluster. The temperature of the absorbing gas in this velocity range is 350 K, significantly warmer than in the diffuse clouds in other parts of the Central Molecular Zone. This indicates that the absorbing gas is local to Sgr B molecular cloud complex. The warm and diffuse gas revealed by Oka et al. (2005) apparently extends to ~100 pc, but there is a hint that its temperature is somewhat lower in the line of sight to J1743 than elsewhere in the GC. The observation of H3+ toward J1747 is compared with the recent Herschel observation of H2O+ toward Sgr B2 and their chemical relationship and remarkably similar velocity profiles are discussed., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, Accepted for publication in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan

We present follow-up observations to those of Geballe & Oka (2010), who found high column densities of H3+ ~100 pc off of the Galactic center (GC) on the lines of sight to 2MASS J17432173-2951430 (J1743) and 2MASS J17470898-2829561 (J1747). The wavelength coverages on these sightlines have been extended in order to observe two key transitions of H3+, R(3,3)l and R(2,2)l, that constrain the temperatures and densities of the environments. The profiles of the H3+ R(3,3)l line, which is due only to gas in the GC, closely matches the differences between the H3+ R(1,1)l and CO line profiles, just as it does for previously studied sightlines in the GC. Absorption in the R(2,2)l line of H3+ is present in J1747 at velocities between -60 and +100 km/s. This is the second clear detection of this line in the interstellar medium after GCIRS 3 in the Central Cluster. The temperature of the absorbing gas in this velocity range is 350 K, significantly warmer than in the diffuse clouds in other parts of the Central Molecular Zone. This indicates that the absorbing gas is local to Sgr B molecular cloud complex. The warm and diffuse gas revealed by Oka et al. (2005) apparently extends to ~100 pc, but there is a hint that its temperature is somewhat lower in the line of sight to J1743 than elsewhere in the GC. The observation of H3+ toward J1747 is compared with the recent Herschel observation of H2O+ toward Sgr B2 and their chemical relationship and remarkably similar velocity profiles are discussed., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, Accepted for publication in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan

Infrared absorption lines of H3+, including the metastable R(3,3)l line, have been observed toward eight bright infrared sources associated with hot and massive stars located in and between the Galactic Center Cluster and the Quintuplet Cluster 30 pc to the east. The absorption lines with high velocity dispersion arise in the Galaxy's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) as well as in foreground spiral arms. The temperature and density of the gas in the CMZ, as determined from the relative strengths of the H3+ lines, are T=200-300K and n=50-200cm^-3. The detection of high column densities of H3+ toward all eight stars implies that this warm and diffuse gaseous environment is widespread in the CMZ. The products of the ionization rate and path length for these sight lines are 1000 and 10 times higher than in dense and diffuse clouds in the Galactic disk, respectively, indicating that the ionization rate, zeta, is not less than 10^-15 s^-1 and that L is at least on the order of 50 pc. The warm and diffuse gas is an important component of the CMZ, in addition to the three previously known gaseous environments: (1) cold molecular clouds observed by radio emission of CO and other molecules, (2) hot (T=10^4-10^6K) and highly ionized diffuse gas (n_e=10-100cm^-3) seen in radio recombination lines, far infrared atomic lines, and radio-wave scattering, and (3) ultra-hot (T=10^7-10^8K) X-ray emitting plasma. Its prevalence significantly changes the understanding of the environment of the CMZ. The sight line toward GC IRS 3 is unique in showing an additional H3+ absorption component, which is interpreted as due to either a cloud associated with circumnuclear disk or the "50 km s^-1 cloud" known from radio observations. An infrared pumping scheme is examined as a mechanism to populate the (3,3) metastable level in this cloud., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Infrared absorption lines of H3+, including the metastable R(3,3)l line, have been observed toward eight bright infrared sources associated with hot and massive stars located in and between the Galactic Center Cluster and the Quintuplet Cluster 30 pc to the east. The absorption lines with high velocity dispersion arise in the Galaxy's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) as well as in foreground spiral arms. The temperature and density of the gas in the CMZ, as determined from the relative strengths of the H3+ lines, are T=200-300K and n=50-200cm^-3. The detection of high column densities of H3+ toward all eight stars implies that this warm and diffuse gaseous environment is widespread in the CMZ. The products of the ionization rate and path length for these sight lines are 1000 and 10 times higher than in dense and diffuse clouds in the Galactic disk, respectively, indicating that the ionization rate, zeta, is not less than 10^-15 s^-1 and that L is at least on the order of 50 pc. The warm and diffuse gas is an important component of the CMZ, in addition to the three previously known gaseous environments: (1) cold molecular clouds observed by radio emission of CO and other molecules, (2) hot (T=10^4-10^6K) and highly ionized diffuse gas (n_e=10-100cm^-3) seen in radio recombination lines, far infrared atomic lines, and radio-wave scattering, and (3) ultra-hot (T=10^7-10^8K) X-ray emitting plasma. Its prevalence significantly changes the understanding of the environment of the CMZ. The sight line toward GC IRS 3 is unique in showing an additional H3+ absorption component, which is interpreted as due to either a cloud associated with circumnuclear disk or the "50 km s^-1 cloud" known from radio observations. An infrared pumping scheme is examined as a mechanism to populate the (3,3) metastable level in this cloud., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal