Organic astrochemistry: Observations of interstellar ketene

R. Ruiterkamp; S. B. Charnley; H. M. Butner; H. C. Huang; S. D. Rodgers; Y. J. Kuan; P. Ehrenfreund

doi:10.1007/s10509-007-9493-9

Organic astrochemistry: Observations of interstellar ketene

R. Ruiterkamp, S. B. Charnley^*, H. M. Butner, H. C. Huang, S. D. Rodgers, Y. J. Kuan, P. Ehrenfreund

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Earth Sciences (Include Institute of Marine Environmental Science and Technology)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have observed emission from both ortho and para spin states of ketene (CH₂CO) towards several deeply-embedded protostars. The low CH ₂CO fractional abundances (∼10^-10) and the rotation temperatures (∼20 K) are consistent with emission from the cooler envelope. We compare our results with previous studies and discuss possible production pathways to interstellar ketene. We suggest that, if low observed excitation temperatures of CH₂CO, CH₃CHO and H₂CO are indicative of their absence from the hot core region, then this may be due to the extensive hydrogenation of pre-existing grain mantles prior to evaporation into the inner envelope, leading to lower abundances of these compounds and to mantles rich in alcohols.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	181-188
Number of pages	8
Journal	Astrophysics and Space Science
Volume	310
Issue number	3-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-007-9493-9
Publication status	Published - 2007 Aug

Keywords

Astrochemistry
ISM: abundances
ISM: clouds
ISM: molecules
Stars: formation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1007/s10509-007-9493-9

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@article{d6d989cccf374d66ab158cc5887a8263,

title = "Organic astrochemistry: Observations of interstellar ketene",

abstract = "We have observed emission from both ortho and para spin states of ketene (CH2CO) towards several deeply-embedded protostars. The low CH 2CO fractional abundances (∼10-10) and the rotation temperatures (∼20 K) are consistent with emission from the cooler envelope. We compare our results with previous studies and discuss possible production pathways to interstellar ketene. We suggest that, if low observed excitation temperatures of CH2CO, CH3CHO and H2CO are indicative of their absence from the hot core region, then this may be due to the extensive hydrogenation of pre-existing grain mantles prior to evaporation into the inner envelope, leading to lower abundances of these compounds and to mantles rich in alcohols.",

keywords = "Astrochemistry, ISM: abundances, ISM: clouds, ISM: molecules, Stars: formation",

author = "R. Ruiterkamp and Charnley, {S. B.} and Butner, {H. M.} and Huang, {H. C.} and Rodgers, {S. D.} and Kuan, {Y. J.} and P. Ehrenfreund",

note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements This work was supported by NASA (Origins of Solar Systems, Long Term Space Astrophysics and Exobiology Programs) through NASA Ames Cooperative Agreement NCC2-1412 with the SETI Institute, the NASA Goddard Center for Astrobiology, NWO-VI 016.023.003 and NSC 95-2112-M-003-016. Funding Information: 1The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Kitt Peak 12 m telescope is now owned and operated by the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO), Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, with partial funding from the Research Corporation.",

year = "2007",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1007/s10509-007-9493-9",

language = "English",

volume = "310",

pages = "181--188",

journal = "Astrophysics and Space Science",

issn = "0004-640X",

publisher = "Springer Netherlands",

number = "3-4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Organic astrochemistry

T2 - Observations of interstellar ketene

AU - Ruiterkamp, R.

AU - Charnley, S. B.

AU - Butner, H. M.

AU - Huang, H. C.

AU - Rodgers, S. D.

AU - Kuan, Y. J.

AU - Ehrenfreund, P.

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgements This work was supported by NASA (Origins of Solar Systems, Long Term Space Astrophysics and Exobiology Programs) through NASA Ames Cooperative Agreement NCC2-1412 with the SETI Institute, the NASA Goddard Center for Astrobiology, NWO-VI 016.023.003 and NSC 95-2112-M-003-016. Funding Information: 1The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The Kitt Peak 12 m telescope is now owned and operated by the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO), Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, with partial funding from the Research Corporation.

PY - 2007/8

Y1 - 2007/8

N2 - We have observed emission from both ortho and para spin states of ketene (CH2CO) towards several deeply-embedded protostars. The low CH 2CO fractional abundances (∼10-10) and the rotation temperatures (∼20 K) are consistent with emission from the cooler envelope. We compare our results with previous studies and discuss possible production pathways to interstellar ketene. We suggest that, if low observed excitation temperatures of CH2CO, CH3CHO and H2CO are indicative of their absence from the hot core region, then this may be due to the extensive hydrogenation of pre-existing grain mantles prior to evaporation into the inner envelope, leading to lower abundances of these compounds and to mantles rich in alcohols.

AB - We have observed emission from both ortho and para spin states of ketene (CH2CO) towards several deeply-embedded protostars. The low CH 2CO fractional abundances (∼10-10) and the rotation temperatures (∼20 K) are consistent with emission from the cooler envelope. We compare our results with previous studies and discuss possible production pathways to interstellar ketene. We suggest that, if low observed excitation temperatures of CH2CO, CH3CHO and H2CO are indicative of their absence from the hot core region, then this may be due to the extensive hydrogenation of pre-existing grain mantles prior to evaporation into the inner envelope, leading to lower abundances of these compounds and to mantles rich in alcohols.

KW - Astrochemistry

KW - ISM: abundances

KW - ISM: clouds

KW - ISM: molecules

KW - Stars: formation

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DO - 10.1007/s10509-007-9493-9

M3 - Article

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SN - 0004-640X

VL - 310

SP - 181

EP - 188

JO - Astrophysics and Space Science

JF - Astrophysics and Space Science

IS - 3-4

ER -

Organic astrochemistry: Observations of interstellar ketene

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Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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