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At least 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

TWO-COMPONENT STRUCTURE OF THE H{beta} BROAD-LINE REGION IN QUASARS. I. EVIDENCE FROM SPECTRAL PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

We report on a spectral principal component analysis (SPCA) of a sample of 816 quasars, selected to have small Fe II velocity shifts with spectral coverage in the rest wavelength range 3500-5500 A. The sample is explicitly designed to mitigate spurious effects on SPCA induced by Fe II velocity shifts. We improve the algorithm of SPCA in the literature and introduce a new quantity, the fractional-contribution spectrum, that effectively identifies the emission features encoded in each eigenspectrum. The first eigenspectrum clearly records the power-law continuum and very broad Balmer emission lines. Narrow emission lines dominate the second eigenspectrum. The third eigenspectrum represents the Fe II emission and a component of the Balmer lines with kinematically similar intermediate-velocity widths. Correlations between the weights of the eigenspectra and parametric measurements of line strength and continuum slope confirm the above interpretation for the eigenspectra. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the validity of our method to recognize cross talk in SPCA and firmly rule out a single-component model for broad H{beta}. We also present the results of SPCA for four other samples that contain quasars in bins of larger Fe II velocity shift; similar eigenspectra are obtained. We propose that the H{beta}-emitting region has two kinematically distinct components: one with very large velocities whose strength correlates with the continuum shape and another with more modest, intermediate velocities that is closely coupled to the gas that gives rise to Fe II emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE HST/ACS+WFC3 SURVEY FOR LYMAN LIMIT SYSTEMS. II. SCIENCE

We present the first science results from our Hubble Space Telescope survey for Lyman limit absorption systems (LLS) using the low dispersion spectroscopic modes of the Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Wide Field Camera 3. Through an analysis of 71 quasars, we determine the incidence frequency of LLS per unit redshift and per unit path length, l(z) and l(X), respectively, over the redshift range 1 < z < 2.6, and find a weighted mean of l(X) =0.29 {+-} 0.05 for 2.0 < z < 2.5 through a joint analysis of our sample and that of Ribaudo et al. Through stacked spectrum analysis, we determine a median (mean) value of the mean free path to ionizing radiation at z = 2.4 of {lambda}{sup 912}{sub mfp} = 243(252) h {sup -1}{sub 72} Mpc, with an error on the mean value of {+-}43 h {sup -1}{sub 72} Mpc. We also re-evaluate the estimates of {lambda}{sup 912}{sub mfp} from Prochaska et al. and place constraints on the evolution of {lambda}{sup 912}{sub mfp} with redshift, including an estimate of the ''breakthrough'' redshift of z = 1.6. Consistent with results at higher z, we find that a significant fraction of the opacity for absorption of ionizing photons comes from systems with N{sub H{sub I}} {<=}10{sup 17.5} cm{sup -2} with a value for the total Lyman opacity of {tau}{sup Lyman}{sub eff} = 0.40 {+-} 0.15. Finally, we determine that at minimum, a 5-parameter (4 power law) model is needed to describe the column density distribution function f(N{sub H{sub I}}, X) at z {approx} 2.4, find that f(N{sub H{sub I}}, X) undergoes no significant change in shape between z {approx} 2.4 and z {approx} 3.7, and provide our best fit model for f(N{sub H{sub I}}, X).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

CLOUD STRUCTURE OF THE NEAREST BROWN DWARFS: SPECTROSCOPIC VARIABILITY OF LUHMAN 16AB FROM THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

The binary brown dwarf WISE J104915.57–531906.1 (also Luhman 16AB), composed of a late-L and early-T dwarf, is a prototypical L/T transition flux reversal binary located at a distance of only 2 pc. Luhman 16B is a known variable whose light curves evolve rapidly. We present a spatially resolved spectroscopic time-series of Luhman 16A and B covering 6.5 hr using the Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 at 1.1-1.66 μm. The small, count-dependent variability of Luhman 16A at the beginning of the observations likely stems from instrumental systematics; Luhman 16A appears non-variable above ≈0.4%. Its spectrum is well fit by a single cloud layer with intermediate cloud thickness (f {sub sed} = 2, T {sub eff} = 1200 K). Luhman 16B varies at all wavelengths with peak-to-valley amplitudes of 7%-11%. The amplitude and light curve shape changes over only one rotation period. The lowest relative amplitude is found in the deep water absorption band at 1.4 μm, otherwise it mostly decreases gradually from the blue to the red edge of the spectrum. This is very similar to the other two known highly variable early-T dwarfs. A two-component cloud model accounts for most of the variability, although small deviations are seen in the water absorption band. We fit the mean spectrum and relative amplitudes with a linear combination of two models of a warm, thinner cloud (T {sub eff} = 1300 K, f {sub sed} = 3) and a cooler, thicker cloud (T {sub eff} = 1000-1100 K, f {sub sed} = 1), assuming out-of-equilibrium atmospheric chemistry. A model with parameters as for Luhman 16A except for the addition of cloud holes cannot reproduce the variability of Luhman 16B, indicating more complex cloud evolution through the L/T transition. The projected separation of the binary has decreased by ≈0.''3 in eight months.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

CHARACTERIZING A DRAMATIC ΔV ∼ –9 FLARE ON AN ULTRACOOL DWARF FOUND BY THE ASAS-SN SURVEY

We analyze a ΔV ∼ –9 magnitude flare on the newly identified M8 dwarf SDSS J022116.84+194020.4 (hereafter SDSSJ0221) detected as part of the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae. Using infrared and optical spectra, we confirm that SDSSJ0221 is a relatively nearby (d ∼ 76 pc) M8 dwarf with strong quiescent Hα emission. Based on kinematics and the absence of features consistent with low-gravity (young) ultracool dwarfs, we place a lower limit of 200 Myr on the age of SDSSJ0221. When modeled with a simple, classical flare light curve, this flare is consistent with a total U-band flare energy E{sub U} ∼ 10{sup 34} erg, confirming that the most dramatic flares are not limited to warmer, more massive stars. Scaled to include a rough estimate of the emission line contribution to the V band, we estimate a blackbody filling factor of ∼10%-30% during the flare peak and ∼0.5%-1.6% during the flare decay phase. These filling factors correspond to flare areas that are an order of magnitude larger than those measured for most mid-M dwarf flares.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Stimulated Terahertz Emission of Bismuth Donors in Uniaxially Strained Silicon under Optical Intracenter Excitation

The results of the experimental observation of stimulated terahertz emission under optical intracenter excitation of uniaxially strained bismuth-doped silicon are presented. Pumping in the presented experiment is performed using a FELIX free-electron laser. It is shown that uniaxial strain of the silicon crystal leads to a significant change in the stimulated emission spectrum of the impurity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Seyfert II nature of the IRAS source FSC 10214+4724

We have observed the rest-frame optical and UV spectra of the luminous, high redshift Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) source FSC 10214+4724. We find the optical emission lines to be characterized by ratios similar to those found in Seyfert II galaxies. We support the conclusion of previous work that the UV emission lines are similar to those attributed to Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) rather than to star formation. The ratio H alpha/H beta greater than or equal to 20 (2 sigma lower limit) implies substantial reddening of the narrow line region with A(sub V) greater than 5.5, sufficient to hide a broad line region in our H alpha observations. Given this large inferred reddening and the strength of the UV continuum and emission lines, we conclude (as have others) that simple screen models of reddening are not appropriate for this object. These properties are very similar to those of the infrared luminous galaxies at lower redshift, suggesting that FSC 10244+4724 is the luminous extreme of the same population. We also present H band (1.6 micrometer) imaging polarimetry observations and find that the rest-frame optical emission is unpolarized (P = 3.2% +/- 22.0%). This deep image of the field shows FSC 10214+4724 to possess an unresolved core, with several companions located within 10 sec of the point source. We find it unlikely that this group of objects is physically associated with FSC 10214+4724 at z = 2.3, and we argue that their magnitudes and colors are more consistant with those expected with those expected for galaxies in a foreground group. While galaxy number counts would suggest that such a projection has a low probability of being observed randomly, a foreground group might gravitational lens the z = 2.3 source, making such random statistics inappropriate, and contribute to the large observed luminosity of FSC 10214+4724. Comparison of H band images taken on two occasions one year apart show that FSC 10214+4724 had varied by 0.16 +/- 0.03 mag relative to a nearby star during that time. The UV-optical emission line spectra, the bright dereddened continuum magnitude (K less than 12) of the unresolved core, its extremely large bolometric luminosity, strong UV polarization, and possible variability all suggest that FSC 10214+4724 harbors an obscured AGN. Given that we observe no spectral features attributable to star formation, it appears either that star formation in FSC 10214+4724 is more highly obscured at optical and UV wavelengths than the narrow line region of the AGN, or that the AGN (rather than star formation) dominates the large luminosity of this object.

Elston, Richard↗
NASA NTRS2012

Searching for Bio-Precursors and Complex Organic Molecules in Space using the GBT

Using the latest microwave receiver technology, large organic molecules with abundances as low as approx. 10(exp -11) times that of molecular hydrogen are detectable in cold interstellar clouds via their rotational emission line spectra. We report new observations to search for complex molecules, including molecules of possible pre-biotic importance, using the newly-commissioned Kband focal plane array (KFPA) of the NRAO Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope. Spectra are presented of the dense molecular cloud TMC-1, showing strict upper limits on the level of emission from nitrogen-bearing rings pyrimidine, quinoline and iso-quinoline, carbon-chain oxides C60, C70, HC60 and HC70, and the carbon-chain anion C4H-. The typical RMS brightness temperature noise levels we achieved are approx. 1 mK at around 20 GHz.

Cordiner, M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Near-infrared Characterization of Four Massive Stars in Transition Phases

Massive stars typically undergo short-lived post-main-sequence evolutionary phases with strong mass loss and occasional mass eruptions. Many of such massive stars in transition phases have been identified based on their dusty envelopes. The ejected material often veils the stellar photospheres so that the central stars cannot be assigned proper spectral types and evolutionary stages. The infrared spectral range has proved to be ideal for the classification of evolved massive stars and for the characterization of their environments. To improve our knowledge on the central stars of four such dust-enshrouded objects, [GKF 2010] MN 83, [GKF 2010] MN 108, [GKF 2010] MN 109, and [GKF 2010] MN 112, we collect and present their first medium-resolution K-band spectra in the 2.3–2.47 μm region and discuss the location of the stars in the JHK color–color diagram. We find that the emission-line spectra of both MN 83 and MN 112 show characteristics typically seen in luminous blue variable (LBV) stars. In addition, we propose that the presence and strength of the newly reported Mg ii lines might be used as a new complementary criterion to identify LBV candidates. The spectra of the other two objects imply that MN 108 is an O-type supergiant, whereas MN 109 could be an LBV candidate in its active phase. We derive lower limits for the reddening toward the stars and find that three of all dereddened fall into the region of confirmed LBVs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

METHYL CYANIDE OBSERVATIONS TOWARD MASSIVE PROTOSTARS

We report the results of a survey in the CH{sub 3}CN J = 12 {yields} 11 transition toward a sample of massive proto-stellar candidates. The observations were carried out with the 10 m Submillimeter Telescope on Mount Graham, AZ. We detected this molecular line in 9 out of 21 observed sources. In six cases this is the first detection of this transition. We also obtained full beam sampled cross-scans for five sources which show that the lower K-components can be extended on the arcminute angular scale. The higher K-components, however, are always found to be compact with respect to our 36'' beam. A Boltzmann population diagram analysis of the central spectra indicates CH{sub 3}CN column densities of about 10{sup 14} cm{sup -2}, and rotational temperatures above 50 K, which confirms these sources as hot molecular cores. Independent fits to line velocity and width for the individual K-components resulted in the detection of an increasing blueshift with increasing line excitation for four sources. Comparison with mid-infrared (mid-IR) images from the SPITZER GLIMPSE/IRAC archive for six sources show that the CH{sub 3}CN emission is generally coincident with a bright mid-IR source. Our data clearly show that the CH{sub 3}CN J = 12 {yields} 11 transition is a good probe of the hot molecular gas near massive protostars, and provide the basis for future interferometric studies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1989

Carbon stars with alpha-C:H emission

Many carbon stars in the IRS low resolution spectra (LRS) catalog were found which display emission spectra that compare favorable with the absorption spectrum of alpha-C:H. These stars have largely been classified as 4X in the LRS which has led to their interpretation by others in terms of displaying a mixture of the UIRF's 8.6 micron band and SiC at 11.5 microns. It was also found that many of these stars have a spectral upturn at 20+ microns which resembles the MgS band seen in carbon stars and planetary nebulae. It was concluded that this group of carbon stars will evolve into planetary nebulae like NGC 7027 and IC 418. In the presence of hard ultraviolet radiation the UIRF's will light up and be displayed as narrow emission bands on top of the broad alpha-C:H emission bands.

Gerbault, Florence↗
DOE OSTI2017

Double-peaked Emission Lines Due to a Radio Outflow in KISSR 1219

We present the results from 1.5 and 5 GHz phase-referenced VLBA and 1.5 GHz Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) observations of the Seyfert 2 galaxy KISSR 1219, which exhibits double-peaked emission lines in its optical spectrum. The VLA and VLBA data reveal a one-sided core-jet structure at roughly the same position angles, providing evidence of an active galactic nucleus outflow. The absence of dual parsec-scale radio cores puts the binary black-hole picture in doubt for the case of KISSR 1219. The high brightness temperatures of the parsec-scale core and jet components (>10{sup 6} K) are consistent with this interpretation. Doppler boosting with jet speeds of ≳0.55 c to ≳0.25 c , going from parsec to kiloparsec scales, at a jet inclination ≳50° can explain the jet one-sidedness in this Seyfert 2 galaxy. A blueshifted broad emission line component in [O iii] is also indicative of an outflow in the emission line gas at a velocity of ∼350 km s{sup −1}, while the [O i] doublet lines suggest the presence of shock-heated gas. A detailed line ratio study using the MAPPINGS III code further suggests that a shock+precursor model can explain the line ionization data well. Overall, our data suggest that the radio outflow in KISSR 1219 is pushing the emission line clouds, both ahead of the jet and in a lateral direction, giving rise to the double peak emission line spectra.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structural, optical and waveguiding properties improvement of SiO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} Bragg reflectors processed by the sol–gel method under the effect of Ni-doped TiO{sub 2} and annealing duration

Highlights: • The formation of anatase phase only, whatever are Ni content and annealing duration. • Transmission and PL spectra redshifted with Ni content and annealing duration. • PL lowering with Ni content is due to the recombination rate of electron–hole reduction. • Annealing duration increases the recombination rate and then the PL intensity rises. • Increasing Ni content improves waveguiding properties and then two TE modes appear. - Abstract: We investigated the nickel doped TiO{sub 2} layer and annealing duration effects on SiO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} Bragg reflectors. The films crystallize in pure anatase phase whatever is the Ni content and the annealing duration. In UV–vis-NIR analyses, variations of width, position and transmission coefficient of the stop-band were observed. The PL spectra red-shifted when the Ni content and annealing duration increased. As the annealing duration increases, an additional sharp emission peak appears around 867 nm, indicating a reduced number of defects. As Ni content increased, the M-lines spectroscopy shows two transverse electric polarization guided modes TE{sub 0} and TE{sub 1}, which indicates a decreased refractive index and an increased film thickness.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photoluminescence properties of Ho{sup 3+} ion in lithium-fluoroborate glass containing different modifier oxides

Trivalent holmium (0.5 mol%) doped lithium fluoro-borate glasses with the chemical compositions 49.5Li{sub 2}B{sub 4}O{sub 7−}20BaF{sub 2−}10NaF−20MO (where M=Mg, Ca, Cd and Pb), 49.5Li{sub 2}B{sub 4}O{sub 7−}20BaF{sub 2−}10NaF−10MgO−10CaO and 49.5Li{sub 2}B{sub 4}O{sub 7−}20BaF{sub 2−}10NaF−10CdO−10PbO were synthesized and investigated their photoluminescence properties. The variation in chemical composition by varying modifier oxides causes changes in the structural spectroscopic behavior of Ho{sup 3+} ions. These changes are examined by UV-VIS- NIR and luminescence spectroscopic techniques. The visible luminescence spectra were obtained by exciting samples at 409 nm radiation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

STAR CLUSTERS IN M31. IV. A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ABSORPTION LINE INDICES IN OLD M31 AND MILKY WAY CLUSTERS

We present absorption line indices measured in the integrated spectra of globular clusters both from the Galaxy and from M31. Our samples include 41 Galactic globular clusters, and more than 300 clusters in M31. The conversion of instrumental equivalent widths into the Lick system is described, and zero-point uncertainties are provided. Comparison of line indices of old M31 clusters and Galactic globular clusters suggests an absence of important differences in chemical composition between the two cluster systems. In particular, CN indices in the spectra of M31 and Galactic clusters are essentially consistent with each other, in disagreement with several previous works. We reanalyze some of the previous data, and conclude that reported CN differences between M31 and Galactic clusters were mostly due to data calibration uncertainties. Our data support the conclusion that the chemical compositions of Milky Way and M31 globular clusters are not substantially different, and that there is no need to resort to enhanced nitrogen abundances to account for the optical spectra of M31 globular clusters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH OBSERVATIONS OF WARM INTERVENING GAS AT z {approx} 0.325 TOWARD 3C 263

We present HST/COS high-S/N observations of the z = 0.32566 multiphase absorber toward 3C 263. The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) data show absorption from H I (Ly{alpha} to Ly{theta}), O VI, C III, N III, Si III, and C II. The Ne VIII in this absorber is detected in the FUSE spectrum along with O III, O IV, and N IV. The low and intermediate ions are kinematically aligned with each other and H I and display narrow line widths of b {approx} 6-8 km s{sup -1}. The O VI {lambda}{lambda}1031, 1037 lines are kinematically offset by {Delta}v {approx} 12 km s{sup -1} from the low ions and are a factor of {approx}4 broader. All metal ions except O VI and Ne VIII are consistent with an origin in gas photoionized by the extragalactic background radiation. The bulk of the observed H I is also traced by this photoionized medium. The metallicity in this gas phase is Z {approx}> 0.15 Z{sub Sun} with carbon having near-solar abundances. The O VI and Ne VIII favor an origin in collisionally ionized gas at T = 5.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 5} K. The H I absorption associated with this warm absorber is a broad-Ly{alpha} absorber (BLA) marginally detected in the COS spectrum. This warm gas phase has a metallicity of [X/H] {approx}-0.12 dex, and a total hydrogen column density of N( H) {approx} 3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 19} cm{sup -2}, which is {approx}2 dex higher than what is traced by the photoionized gas. Simultaneous detection of O VI, Ne VIII, and BLAs in an absorber can be a strong diagnostic of gas with T {approx} 10{sup 5}-10{sup 6} K corresponding to the warm phase of the warm-hot intergalactic medium or shock-heated gas in the extended halos of galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

A CHANDRA OBSERVATION OF THE ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY IRAS 19254-7245 (THE SUPERANTENNAE): X-RAY EMISSION FROM THE COMPTON-THICK ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS AND THE DIFFUSE STARBURST

We present a Chandra observation of IRAS 19254-7245, a nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxy also known as the Superantennae. The high spatial resolution of Chandra allows us to disentangle for the first time the diffuse starburst (SB) emission from the embedded Compton-thick active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the southern nucleus. No AGN activity is detected in the northern nucleus. The 2-10 keV spectrum of the AGN emission is fitted by a flat power law ({Gamma} = 1.3) and an He-like Fe K{alpha} line with equivalent width {approx}1.5 keV, consistent with previous observations. The Fe K{alpha} line profile could be resolved as a blend of a neutral 6.4 keV line and an ionized 6.7 keV (He-like) or 6.9 keV (H-like) line. Variability of the neutral line is detected compared with the previous XMM-Newton and Suzaku observations, demonstrating the compact size of the iron line emission. The spectrum of the galaxy-scale extended emission excluding the AGN and other bright point sources is fitted with a thermal component with a best-fit kT of {approx}0.8 keV. The 2-10 keV luminosity of the extended emission is about one order of magnitude lower than that of the AGN. The basic physical and structural properties of the extended emission are fully consistent with a galactic wind being driven by the SB. A candidate ultraluminous X-ray source is detected 8'' south of the southern nucleus. The 0.3-10 keV luminosity of this off-nuclear point source is {approx}6 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 40} erg s{sup -1} if the emission is isotropic and the source is associated with the Superantennae.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

DISK CORONA INTERACTION: MECHANISM FOR THE DISK TRUNCATION AND SPECTRUM CHANGE IN LOW-LUMINOSITY ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

The truncation of an optically thick, geometrically thin accretion disk is investigated in the context of low-luminosity AGNs (LLAGNs). We generalize the disk evaporation model used in the interpretative framework of black hole X-ray binaries by including the effect of a magnetic field in accretion disks surrounding supermassive black holes. The critical transition mass accretion rate for which the disk is truncated is found to be insensitive to magnetic effects, but its inclusion leads to a smaller truncation radius in comparison to a model without its consideration. That is, a thin viscous disk is truncated for LLAGNs at an Eddington ratio less than 0.03 for a standard viscosity parameter ({alpha} = 0.3). An increase of the viscosity parameter results in a higher critical transition mass accretion rate and a correspondingly smaller truncation distance, the latter accentuated by greater magnetic energy densities in the disk. Based on these results, the truncation radii inferred from spectral fits of LLAGNs published in the literature are consistent with the disk evaporation model. The infrared emission arising from the truncated geometrically thin accretion disks may be responsible for the red bump seen in such LLAGNs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN MOLECULAR CLOUDS IN THE ARM AND INTERARM REGIONS OF M51

We report systematic variations in the emission line ratio of the CO J 2-1 and J = 1-0 transitions (R{sub 2-1/1-0}) in the grand-design spiral galaxy M51. The R{sub 2-1/1-0} ratio shows clear evidence for the evolution of molecular gas from the upstream interarm regions into the spiral arms and back into the downstream interarm regions. In the interarm regions, R{sub 2-1/1-0} is typically <0.7 (and often 0.4-0.6); this is similar to the ratios observed in Galactic giant molecular clouds (GMCs) with low far-infrared luminosities. However, the ratio rises to >0.7 (often 0.8-1.0) in the spiral arms, particularly at the leading (downstream) edge of the molecular arms. These trends are similar to those seen in Galactic GMCs with OB star formation (presumably in the Galactic spiral arms). R{sub 2-1/1-0} is also high, {approx}0.8-1.0, in the central region of M51. Analysis of the molecular excitation using a Large Velocity Gradient radiative transfer calculation provides insight into the changes in the physical conditions of molecular gas between the arm and interarm regions: cold and low-density gas ({approx}< 10 K, {approx}< 300 cm{sup -3}) is required for the interarm GMCs, but this gas must become warmer and/or denser in the more active star-forming spiral arms. The ratio R{sub 2-1/1-0} is higher in areas of high 24 {mu}m dust surface brightness (which is an approximate tracer of star formation rate surface density) and high CO(1-0) integrated intensity (i.e., a well-calibrated tracer of total molecular gas surface density). The systematic enhancement of the CO(2-1) line relative to CO(1-0) in luminous star-forming regions suggests that some caution is needed when using CO(2-1) as a tracer of bulk molecular gas mass, especially when galactic structures are resolved.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗