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Spatial observations of the Orion Nebula in the unidentified 3.28 micron featureThe unidentified infrared emission at a wavelength of 3.28 microns has been mapped in a 5 x 5 arcmin region of the Orion Nebula at a resolution of 30 arcsec along with continuum thermal emission at 3.5 microns in order to gain information on the probable source of the unidentified feature. The 3.28-micron emission is found to be extended over much of the nebula with a distribution very different from that of the 3.5-micron continuum. The ratio of 3.28-micron to 3.5-micron flux density is observed to range from a value of 7 in the Orion ionization ridge to less than 0.15 towards the Becklin-Neugebauer object, and to generally be larger toward the edges of the emitting region than toward the Trapezium. From the observations, it is concluded that the 3.28-micron emission originates in the ionization front between the foreground ionized gas and background molecular cloud, and may be due to thermal emission from complex, less volatile organic substances in grain mantles.
Document ID
19810057046
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Sellgren, K.
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
81A41450
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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