Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Abteilung Astronomie

Preprint G/98

ORFEUS II echelle spectra: detection of H_2 absorption in SMC gas

P. Richter(1), H. Widmann(2), K. S. de Boer(1), I. Appenzeller(3), J. Barnstedt(2), M. Gölz(2), M. Grewing(4), W. Gringel(2), N. Kappelmann(2) G. Krämer(2), H. Mandel(3), K. Werner(2)

(1)Sternwarte, Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 71, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
(2)Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Astronomie, Universität Tübingen, Waldhäuser Str. 64, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
(3)Landessternwarte Heidelberg, Königstuhl, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
(4)Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimétrique (IRAM), 300 Rue de la Piscine, F-38406 Saint Martin d'Hères, France

1998, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 338, L9

Abstract. We present a study of H_2 in the SMC gas, based on Far UV spectroscopy in the line of sight to the SMC star HD 5980. 17 absorption lines from the Lyman band have been analysed. Our line of sight crosses two clouds within the SMC. We detect a cool molecular component near +120 \kms, where the H_2 from the lowest 3 rotational states (J <= 2) is found. For this cloud we derive an excitation temperature of ~70 K, probably the kinetic temperature of the gas. Another SMC component is visible at +160 km/s. Here we find unblended H_2 absorption lines from levels 5 <= J <= 7. For this component we obtain an equivalent excitation temperature of > 2350 K and conclude that this cloud must be highly excited by strong UV radiation from its energetic environment.

Key words: Space Vehicles - ISM: molecules - Galaxies: ISM - Magellanic Clouds: SMC - Stars: individual: HD 5980 - Ultraviolet: ISM

Paper (63k gzip'ed Postscript including figures)

[Home Page] [Preprints 1998] [Quick Reference] [Feedback]

Jürgen Barnstedt (barnstedt AT astro.uni-tuebingen.de) Last updated 25-Sep-1998