Nitrogen sulfide in quiescent dark clouds.
We report the first detection of interstellar nitrogen sulfide (NS) in cold dark clouds. Several components of the 2 pi 1/2, J = 3/2 --> 1/2 and J = 5/2 --> 3/2 transitions were observed in TMC-1 and L134N. The inferred column density for TMC-1 is NNS approximately 8 x 10(12)cm-2 toward the NH3 peak in that cloud, and in L134N is NNS approximately 3 x 10(12)cm-2 toward the position of peak NH3 emission. These values correspond to fractional abundances relative to molecular hydrogen of fNS approximately 8 x 10(-10) for TMC-1, and fNS approximately 6 x 10(-10) for L134N. The NS emission is extended along the TMC-1 ridge and is also extended in L134N. The measured abundances are significantly higher than those predicted by some recent gas phase ion-molecule models.
McGonagle
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Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Massachusetts at Amherst 01003, USA.
Irvine
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Ohishi
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D055580:Astronomical Phenomena; D001256:Astronomy; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D016011:Normal Distribution; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
D005740:Gases; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D013455:Sulfur