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A Dirty Window

Diffuse and Translucent Molecular Gas in the Interstellar Medium

  • Book
  • © 2017

Overview

Authors:
  1. Loris Magnani

    1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Georgia, Athens, USA

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  2. Steven N. Shore

    1. Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Fermi”, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Serves as an excellent introduction to the physics of molecular gas in the Galaxy
  • Distinguishes itself from existing interstellar matter textbooks by focussing on the diffuse portion of the ISM
  • Explores observational techniques for investigating the diffuse ISM throughout the electromagnetic spectrum emphasizing results from the Herschel and Planck missions
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library (ASSL, volume 442)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
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  2. A Quick Look at the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 1-27

  3. Radiative Transfer Considerations

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 29-67

  4. The Diffuse ISM from the Ground: Chemistry and Tracers

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 69-106

  5. Observing the Diffuse ISM: Making Sense of the Radio Observations

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 107-129

  6. Observing the Diffuse ISM: The Space Missions

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 131-153

  7. Observing in the Dark: The Dust-Gas Connection

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 155-183

  8. Surveying the Molecular Milky Way

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 185-204

  9. The Relationship Between CO and H2

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 205-225

  10. Surveys for High-Latitude Molecular Clouds

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 227-248

  11. Distances

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 249-266

  12. Dynamical Considerations: Instabilities and Turbulence

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 267-294

  13. Coda

    • Loris Magnani, Steven N. Shore
    Pages 295-296

  14. Back Matter

    Pages 297-306
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Keywords

About this book

This book provides an introduction to the physics of interstellar gas in the Galaxy. It deals with the diffuse interstellar medium which supplies a complex environment for exploring the neutral gas content of a galaxy like the Milky Way and the techniques necessary for studying this non-stellar component. After an initial exposition of the phases of the interstellar medium and the role of gas in a spiral galaxy, the authors discuss the transition from atomic to molecular gas. They then consider basic radiative transfer and molecular spectroscopy with particular emphasis on the molecules useful for studying low-density molecular gas. Observational techniques for investigating the gas and the dust component of the diffuse interstellar medium throughout the electromagnetic spectrum are explored emphasizing results from the recent Herschel and Planck missions. A brief exposition on dust in the diffuse interstellar medium is followed by a discussion of molecular clouds in general and high-latitude molecular clouds in particular. Ways of calibrating CO observations with the molecular hydrogen content of a cloud are examined along with the dark molecular gas controversy. High-latitude molecular clouds are considered in detail as vehicles for applying the techniques developed in the book. Given the transient nature of diffuse and translucent molecular clouds, the role of turbulence in the origin and dynamics of these objects is examined in some detail.

The book is targeted at graduate students or postdocs who are entering the field of interstellar medium studies.

Reviews

“The book adopts a largely historical approach, with comprehensive references. Each reader will find much of interest in the wide coverage of selected topics. … The book is recommended to anyone with an interest in the interstellar medium.” (David A. Williams, The Observatory, April, 2018)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Georgia, Athens, USA

    Loris Magnani

  • Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Fermi”, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Steven N. Shore

About the authors

Loris Magnani is Professor of Astronomy at the University of Georgia, USA.

Steve Shore is Professore Ordinario, Astrofisica, Dipartimento di Fisica Enrico Fermi, Universita di Pisa, Italy. He serves as associate editor of the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

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