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Publication Date

Summer 2011

Degree Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Advisor

Michael Kaufman

Keywords

Herschel, oxygen, photodissociation, shocks, spectra, star-forming

Subject Areas

Astrophysics; Physics; Astronomy

Abstract

H2O and O2 have long been predicted to be major constituents of star-forming molecular gas. Line emission from these molecules are explored using the newest collisional excitation rate coefficients and the latest chemical and thermal profiles for shocks and photodissociation regions (PDRs) In the case of the PDRs, the parameters of FUV-illuminated gas in the molecular clouds, hydrogen density (n = 103- 106 H cm3) and FUV flux intensity (g = 1 - 105 times the ambient interstellar field) are considered. In the case of shocks, shock velocities of 5 - 40 km/s and gas densities of 103- 106.5 H/cm3 are considered. The results are compared to existing intensity models of H2O and O2 in preparation for an analysis of future Herschel telescope observations. Line intensity results are consistent with similar models within an order of magnitude.

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