Observations of decameter carbon radio recombination lines in several galactic directions. Part 1. Experimental study

Abstract

Subject and Purpose. Since decameter carbon radio recombination lines (RRLs) were detected for the first time more than forty years ago, they have significantly extended our knowledge of the physics, kinematics and chemistry of the cold rarefied interstellar medium (ISM). A large number of these lines have been observed towards various Galactic radio sources. The present paper describes our studies of decameter carbon RRLs in such Galactic directions as the sight-lines to the S140 emission nebula and to the large volume of cold neutral hydrogen known as the GSH 139-03-69 super shell. Methods and Methodology. Observations within a 1-MHz frequency band centered at 26 MHz were performed using the UTR-2 radio telescope and a multi-channel digital correlator. The UTR-2 is still the world largest and the most sensitive low-frequency radio telescope. Results.We report the detection of decameter carbon RRL series C627α – C637α from the medium lying towards the S140 nebula. The extents of RRL forming regions have been estimated. It is suggested that RRLs in the S140 direction are formed in the local ISM lying along the line of sight. The RRL-forming region is probably associated with omnipresent diffuse neutral HI gas in the Galactic plane rather than with S140 nebula itself. Toward the GSH 139-03-69 super shell, decameter RRLs have been detected as well. Likewise, they apparently originate from the local medium lying along the sight-line. Yet, the spectrum contains a RRL component corresponding to the absorption of the cold gas of the GSH 139-03-69 itself in the ISM. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate great possibilities of decameter carbon RRLs not only for cold ISM probing but also for making a good auxiliary tool for studying large complexes of extremely cold hydrogen HI in the Galaxy.