Abstract
The spectrum emitted by any astronomical plasma is sensitive to a variety of details, some of which may not be obviously important. This paper describes the sensitivity of the He I 2.06 μm line to the gas opacity at ionizing energies. The intensity of the line relative to a hydrogen line depends on the He+/H+ ratio, but also on the ratio of continuous to He I Lyα line opacity, since this determines whether the Lyα line can scatter often enough to be converted to the 2.06 μm line. The intensity of the infrared line relative to Hβ can change by factors of several depending on details of the radiative transfer of He I Lyα, the gas microturbulence, the dust-to-gas ratio, and the level of ionization.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-10-1999
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/306768
Repository Citation
Ferland, Gary J., "HE I 2.06 Micron Emission from Nebulae" (1999). Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications. 115.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/physastron_facpub/115
Notes/Citation Information
Published in The Astrophysical Journal, v. 512, no. 1, p. 247-249.
© 1999. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
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