Abstract
We present the observations of the starburst galaxy M82 taken with the Herschel SPIRE Fourier-transform spectrometer. The spectrum (194-671 μm) shows a prominent CO rotational ladder from J = 4-3 to 13-12 emitted by the central region of M82. The fundamental properties of the gas are well constrained by the high J lines observed for the first time. Radiative transfer modeling of these high-S/N 12CO and 13CO lines strongly indicates a very warm molecular gas component at ∼500 K and pressure of ∼3×106 K cm-3, in good agreement with the H 2 rotational lines measurements from Spitzer and ISO. We suggest that this warm gas is heated by dissipation of turbulence in the interstellar medium (ISM) rather than X-rays or UV flux from the straburst. This paper illustrates the promise of the SPIRE FTS for the study of the ISM of nearby galaxies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | L37 |
| Journal | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Volume | 518 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- ISM: molecules
- galaxies: ISM
- galaxies: individual: M82
- galaxies: starburst
- submillimeter: galaxies
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Probing the molecular interstellar medium of M82 with Herschel -SPIRE spectroscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver