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Preliminary spectral observations of the Galaxy with a 7 deg beam by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)The FIR absolute spectrophotometer (FIRAS) on the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) has carried out the first all-sky spectral line survey in the FIR region, as well as mapping spectra of the Galactic dust distribution at below 100 microns. Lines of forbidden C I, C II, and N II, as well as of CO are all clearly detected. The mean line intensities are interpreted in terms of the heating and cooling of the multiple phases of the interstellar gas. In addition, an average spectrum of the galaxy is constructed and searched for weak lines. The spectrum of the galaxy observed by FIRAS has two major components: a continuous spectrum due to interstellar dust heated by starlight, and a line spectrum dominated by the strong 158-micron line from singly ionized carbon, with a spatial distribution similar to the dust distribution, and a luminosity of 0.3 percent of the dust luminosity. There are in addition moderately strong 122- and 205.3-micron lines, identified as coming from singly-ionized nitrogen. Maps of the emission by dust and forbidden C II and N II are presented.
Document ID
19920030045
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wright, E. L.
(California, University Los Angeles, United States)
Mather, J. C.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Bennett, C. L.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Cheng, E. S.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Shafer, R. A.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Boggess, N. W.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Hauser, M. G.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Kelsall, T.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Moseley, S. H., Jr.
(California Univ. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Silverberg, R. F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 381
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
92A12669
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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