Open AccessFluorescent H 2 in the reflection nebula NGC 2023 – I. Recent observations
Author(s) -
McCartney M. S. K.,
Brand P. W. J. L.,
Burton M. G.,
Chrysostomou A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02602.x
Subject(s) - physics , reflection nebula , rotational–vibrational spectroscopy , infrared , astrophysics , molecular cloud , emission spectrum , photodissociation , fluorescence , nebula , planetary nebula , astronomy , maser , line (geometry) , spectral line , stars , optics , photochemistry , chemistry , geometry , mathematics
The spectrum of fluorescent molecular hydrogen in the photodissociation region (PDR) in NGC 2023 is presented. 87 H 2 lines have been measured from the bright H 2 emission ridge 80 arcsec south of the illuminating star (HD 37903). Infrared images of the PDR taken with 1–0 S(1) and 2.1‐μm continuum filters are presented. The infrared and far‐red line fluxes provide column densities for 66 rovibrational states of the H 2 molecule from vibrational levels within the range v =1–12.