Complex molecules in Sagittarius B2(N): The importance of grain chemistry

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (91) References (21) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Complex Molecules in Sagittarius B2(N): The Importance of Grain Chemistry Miao, Yanti ; Mehringer, David M. ; Kuan, Yi-Jheng ; Snyder, Lewis E. Abstract The complex molecules vinyl cyanide (CH2CHCN), methyl formate (HCOOCH3), and ethyl cyanide (CH3CH2CN) were observed in the Sgr B2 star-forming region with the BIMA millimeter wavelength array. A region with diameter less than 0.1 pc toward the Sgr B2(N) molecular core is found to be the major source of these molecules. Also, this source is coincident with continuum emission from dust and a center of H2O maser activity. Ultracompact (UC) H 11 regions are located within 0.1 pc. Strikingly, none of these molecules is detected toward Sgr B2(M), a core located 1 minute south of Sgr B2(N). The existence of complex molecules, a large mass of dust, high-velocity H2O masers, and UC H 11 regions strongly suggests that the Sgr B2(N) region has just begun to form stars, while the absence of strong dust emission and large molecules suggests Sgr B2(M) is more evolved. The detection of large molecules coincident with continuum emission from dust supports the idea found in current chemical models that grain chemistry is of crucial importance for the formation of these molecules. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1995 DOI: 10.1086/187889 Bibcode: 1995ApJ...445L..59M Keywords: Acrylonitriles; Cyanides; Formates; Interstellar Chemistry; Interstellar Matter; Methyl Compounds; Molecular Clouds; Star Formation; Cosmic Dust; H Ii Regions; Water Masers; Astrophysics; ISM: CLOUDS; ISM: MOLECULES; ISM: ABUNDANCES; ISM: INDIVIDUAL NAME: SAGITTARIUS B2; ISM: KINEMATICS AND DYNAMICS; STARS: FORMATION full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (4)