this is a proposal to search spectroscopically for nitrogen, a critical component in the chemistry of the interstellar medium. we will use the iso-sws in sws01 and sws06 modes to observe source of high extinction in molecular clouds to search for the fundamental absorption band of alpha phase n2 ice at 2328.1 cm-1 (4.295 micrometers). this band consists of two principal components, one a sharp spike at the noted frequency, and a broader component of much larger integrated absorbance extending from virgul2320 to 2480 cm-1 (4.032- 4.310 micrometers). we will use data from our laboratory on the temperature sensitivity of the relative strengths of the two band components for an independent indication of the temperature of the n2-bearing grains. we will also use our laboratory data on mixtures of other ices (e.g., co2, co) with n2 in the interpretation of the abundance of the nitrogen. iso is required for these observations because the n2 band occurs at a frequency that is entirely blocked from earth-based telescopes by telluric co2 absorption.
Instrument
SWS01 , SWS06
Temporal Coverage
1996-09-23T22:53:39Z/1997-02-10T18:15:37Z
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.
