Physical conditions, grain temperatures, and enhanced very small grains inBarnard's loop

Citation
C. Heiles et al., Physical conditions, grain temperatures, and enhanced very small grains inBarnard's loop, ASTROPHYS J, 536(1), 2000, pp. 335-346
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
0004637X → ACNP
Volume
536
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Part
1
Pages
335 - 346
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-637X(20000610)536:1<335:PCGTAE>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
We derive the radio spectral index of Barnard's loop (BL) from large-scale radio surveys at four frequencies and find it to be a thermal source. We us e the radio data together with H alpha data to determine the electron tempe rature in BL, the lambda Ori H II region, and a high-latitude filament; all of these regions are somewhat cooler than typical H II regions. We perform least-squares fits of the DIRBE diffuse IR intensities to the 21 cm line a nd radio continuum intensities. After the resolution of a "geometrical conu ndrum," this allows us to derive the electron density n(e); we find n(e) ap proximate to 2.0 cm(-3) and pressure P/ k approximate to 24,000 cm(-3) K. G rains within BL are warmer than in H I regions. Trapped Ly alpha accounts f or the extra heating that is required. This is a general effect that needs to be accounted for in all analyses that examine IR emission from H+ region s. Very small grains that emit 60 mu m radiation are enhanced in BL relativ e to H I by a factor of 2-3, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that em it 12 mu m are probably deficient by a factor of similar to 2.