= > in this proposal, more time is being requested for efalgaro.colspec > time for this proposal should be transferred from efalgaro.colspec = the origin of the small scale color variations of the dust emission as revealed by the iras data in nearby interstellar clouds has remained a puzzle in spite of more than four years of dedicated efforts. one well settled result seems to be that these variations are due to local changes in the small dust particles properties (size distribution, optical properties). spectral observations of the gas in a few bright mid-ir clouds (in the millimetric, visible and uv ranges) reveal that highly energetic processes are present in these clouds (excited transitions, broad lines, existence of molecules formed via endothermic reactions) although these clouds belong to the category of the quiescent ordinary interstellar clouds. the nature of the energetic processes at work in this component of the interstellar clouds is unknown (shocks, intermittent dissipation of turbulence,..). since we believe that this phenomenon is widespread in interstellar matter and may be of great significance for the evolution of dust particles and of that of the gas itself, we think that it deserves further investigation. the spectrometers aboard iso are ideally suited for the spectral investigation of the properties of the highly excited gas, not only because the small column densities of excited gas would escape detection by any less sensitive device, but also because lines which are critical tests of the mechanism(s) at work are accessible.
Instrument
SWS02
Temporal Coverage
1997-03-22T12:27:35Z/1998-03-01T01:31:02Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the world's first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
European Space Agency, 1999, Gas Spectral Diagnostics Of The Dust Emission Color Variations In Interstellar Clouds, 1.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6dyz1r8
