Abstract
WE have measured the 18-cm OH absorption spectrum of Sagittarius A over a range of 6.4 Mc/s using the 60-ft. radio telescope of Harvard College Observatory. This frequency range covers both the 1,667 Mc/s F(2→2) and the 1,665 Mc/s F (1→1) transitions. The spectrum is dominated by two features at +40 km/sec and −120 km/sec with respect to the local standard of rest. Parts of this spectrum have been previously reported1–3, notably the feature at +40 km/sec4. We have also obtained an absorption spectrum for 1II = 4°, bII = 0°. The characteristics of the background continuum radiation near 18 cm and this absorption spectrum allow us to establish an upper limit on the state temperature of interstellar OH.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bolton, J. G., van Damme, K. J., Gardner, F. F., and Robinson, B. J., Nature, 201, 279 (1964).
Dieter, N. H., and Ewen, H. I., Nature, 201, 279 (1964).
Weaver, H. F., and Williams, D. R. W., Nature, 201, 380 (1964).
Robinson, B. J., Gardner, F. F., van Damme, K. J., and Bolton, J. H., Nature, 202, 989 (1964).
Weinreb, S., Barrett, A. H., Meeks, M. L., and Henry, J. C., Nature, 200, 829 (1963).
Oort, J. H., and Rougoor, G. W., Proc. U.S. Nat. Acad. Sci., 46, 1 (1960).
Muller, C. A., and Westerhout, G., B.A.N., 13, 151 (1957).
Kerr, F. J., Hindman, J. V., and Gum, C. S., Austral. J. Phys., 12, 270 (1960).
Westerhout, G., B.A.N., 14, 215 (1958).
Wilson, R. W., and Bolton, J. G., P.A.S.P., 72, 331 (1960).
Altenhoff, W., et al., Veröffentlichungen der Universitäts-Sternwarte zu Bonn, No. 59 (1960).
Jelley, J. V., and Cooper, B. F. C., Rev. Sci. Instr., 32, 166 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GOLDSTEIN, S., GUNDERMANN, E., PENZIAS, A. et al. OH Absorption Spectra in Sagittarius. Nature 203, 65–66 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/203065a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/203065a0
This article is cited by
-
Distribution and Motions of OH Near the Galactic Centre
Nature (1964)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.