The 12C/13C ratio as a chemistry indicator
Conference poster, 2011
Isotopic ratios of elements are considered powerful tools, e.g. in tracing the origin of solar system body materials, or the degree of nucleosynthesis processing throughout the Galaxy. In interstellar molecules, some isotopic ratios like H/D and 12C/13C can also be used as indicators of their chemical origin. Isotope fractionation in gas-phase chemical reactions and gas-dust interaction makes observations of the ratio between 12C and 13C isotopologues suitable to distinguish between different formation scenarios. We will present observations of the 12C/13C ratio in methanol (CH3OH) and formaldehyde (CH2O) towards a sample of embedded, massive young stellar objects. In relation to this we also present results from theoretical modeling showing the usefulness of the 12C/13C ratio as a chemistry indicator.
Author
Eva Wirström
Wolf D. Geppert
Carina Persson
Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences, Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics
S. Charnley
The Molecular Universe, Posters from the proceedings of the 280th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union held in Toledo, Spain, May 30-June 3, 2011, #384
Vol. 280 384
Subject Categories
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Roots
Basic sciences