Detection of formic acid in the cold, dark cloud L134N

We report the first detection of formic acid (HCOOH) in a cold, dark interstellar cloud (L134N). The observed abundance of 3x10(-10) relative to H2 is between one and two orders of magnitude lower than that calculated by published ion molecule models of dark cloud chemistry, but is quite consistent...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAstronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 229; p. L9
Main Authors Irvine, W M, Friberg, P, Kaifu, N, Matthews, H E, Minh, Y C, Ohishi, M, Ishikawa, S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 1990
Subjects
Astronomical Phenomena
Astronomy
Extraterrestrial Environment
Formates - analysis
Hydrogen - analysis
Models, Chemical
Spectrum Analysis
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Discipline Number 52-10
NASA Program Exobiology
Non-NASA Center
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:We report the first detection of formic acid (HCOOH) in a cold, dark interstellar cloud (L134N). The observed abundance of 3x10(-10) relative to H2 is between one and two orders of magnitude lower than that calculated by published ion molecule models of dark cloud chemistry, but is quite consistent with recent model revisions based on new reaction rates. Formic acid was not detected in the archetypical dark cloud TMC-1, and was tentatively detected in the region of massive star formation, W51.
ISSN:0004-6361