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THz Observations of the Cool Neutral Medium
The astrophysical drivers for far-infrared spectroscopy of the Galactic interstellar medium using a 15m class telescope on Dome A are compelling. For the diffuse, atomic phase, the most important lines in the far-IR spectrum are OI at 63ìm and CII at 158ìm. These are the dominant cooling lines of the cool, neutral medium, and they show rich spectral structure in Herschel observations at low latitudes. But theory predicts that they should both be highly sub-thermal in excitation, so that the level populations are not in equilibrium with the kinetic temperature of the gas. A large single dish telescope or an interferometer may be able to study the absorption and emission to determine the optical depth and column density of atoms and the physical conditions in the emission regions. Comparison of Herschel CII spectra with 21-cm absorption spectra indicates that a significant fraction of the 158ìm flux may be coming from the atomic rather than the molecular phase.
History
Publication title
Proceedings of the International Astronomical UnionVolume
8Editors
M. G. Burton, X. Cui, N. F. H. TothillPagination
135-138ISSN
1743-9213Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Cambridge University PressPlace of publication
United KingdomEvent title
Astrophysics from AntarcticaEvent Venue
Bejing, ChinaDate of Event (Start Date)
2012-08-20Date of Event (End Date)
2012-08-24Repository Status
- Restricted