An interferometric spectral-line survey of IRC+10216 in the 345GHz band

We report a spectral-line survey of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 carried out between 293.9 and 354.8GHz with the Submillimeter Array. A total of 442 lines were detected, more than 200 for the first time; 149 are unassigned. Maps at an angular resolution of ∼ 3″ were obtained for each line. A substantial new population of narrow lines with an expansion velocity of ∼ 4kms^-1 (i.e., ≈ 30% of the terminal velocity) was detected. Most of these are attributed to rotational transitions within vibrationally excited states, emitted from energy levels above the v = 0, J = 0 ground state with excitation energy of 1000-3000 K. Emission from these lines appears to be centered on the star with an angular extent of <1″. We use multiple transitions detected in several molecules to derive physical conditions in this inner envelope of IRC+10216. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Ken H Young Pathology