Abstract
In a sub-arcsec near-infrared survey of the Crab Nebula using the new Spartan Infrared Camera, we have found several knots with high surface brightness in the H2 2.12 μm line and a very large H2 2.12 μm to Brγ ratio. The brightest of these knots has an intensity ratio I(H2 2.12 μm)/I(Brγ) = 18 ± 9, which we show sets a lower limit on the ratio of masses in the molecular and recombination (i.e., ionized) zones M mol/M rec ≥ 0.9, and a total molecular mass within this single knot M mol ≥ 5 × 10–5 M ☉. We argue that the knot discussed here probably is able to emit so strongly in the 2.12 μm line because its physical conditions are better tuned for such emission than is the case in other filaments. It is unclear whether this knot has an unusually large M mol/Mrec ratio, or if many other Crab filaments also have similar amounts of molecular gas which is not emitting because the physical conditions are not so well tuned.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-10-2010
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/716/1/L9
Repository Citation
Loh, E. D.; Baldwin, J. A.; and Ferland, Gary J., "A Bright Molecular Core in a Crab Nebula Filament" (2010). Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications. 138.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/physastron_facpub/138
Notes/Citation Information
Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, v. 716, no. 1, p. L9-L13.
© 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
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