Curves for analysis of the two lowest rotational transitions of carbon monoxide using the large velocity gradient radiative transfer model
Abstract
A spherical cloud large velocity gradient radiative transfer model and published collision rates are used to compute the carbon monoxide J = 1 - 0 antenna temperature and J = 2 - 1 to J = 1 - 0 antenna temperature ratio for a wide variety of molecular abundances, hydrogen densities, and kinetic temperatures. Calculations of collision rates are compared, and the differences which result are found to be small with respect to calibration errors and uncertainties about the applicability of the radiative transfer model. The curves presented here should be useful for determination of physical conditions and CO column densities from observations of molecular clouds.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- February 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1086/190845
- Bibcode:
- 1983ApJS...51..203G
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Carbon Monoxide;
- Electron Transitions;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Molecular Rotation;
- Radiative Transfer;
- Collision Rates;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Nebulae;
- Velocity Distribution;
- Astrophysics