10/4/2023 0 Comments Green bank telescope![]() As OH is also a gas molecule that occurs in clouds of molecular H 2, this finding hinted that there might be an abundant portion of H 2 not traced by CO, also referred to as “CO-dark” molecular gas.Īllen worked with Dave Hogg of National Radio Astronomy Observatory to create a new research program using the GBT to observe OH as an alternative tracer of H 2. Philip Engelke, a new Ph.D. In 2012, astronomer Ron Allen, a professor with the Physics and Astronomy Department of Johns Hopkins University, unexpectedly found OH emission without corresponding CO emission while working on an unrelated project. ![]() Was it possible that these rays were a clue to large reserves of molecular gas not yet been detected, and was there another method to trace this gas and confirm its existence? In 2005, astronomers (Grenier et al.) found an excess of cosmic rays, of unknown origin, emanating from the disk of our Galaxy. However, depending on how diffuse and cold the H 2 and CO gases are, they still might not be seen. The major component of the molecular gas in the interstellar medium is H 2, but the H 2 is usually undetectable! To map it out, radio astronomers look for “tracers” in the form of signals from other molecules mixed with the H 2 in smaller quantities, and the standard tracer is carbon monoxide (CO). The Universe is composed of a mysterious interstellar medium, which scientists are still learning more about. The Green Bank Observatory has more on the technical aspects of this massive structure: 5: A new, broad, and faint structure from the OH molecule–in and between the spiral arms. 1-4: Typical narrow-line emission from the OH molecule from spiral arms. Right now, the people doing the research believe the structure extends far into the distant parts of the Milky Way Galaxy. Since the GBT has a high level of sensitivity, it was able to detect this extremely large structure that’s made up of molecular gas, versus a physical moon or planet. Essentially, the astronomers are able to see things with the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. This discovery is being seen through the use of radio spectrum. Sometimes, in our galaxy, not everything is visible to the naked eye and that’s what is happening here. The first discovery happened with a smaller telescope but because it was so unexpected that they had to bring in the big one, the 20-meter telescope, to confirm what they were observing. GREENBANK, WV (WOWK) – The astronomers at the National Science Foundation’s Green Bank Telescope (GBT) discovered a massive, previously unknown structure in the Milky Way Galaxy that is quite eye opening.
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