H I zeeman measurements of the magnetic field in sagittarius B2

Richard M. Crutcher, Douglas A. Roberts, David M. Memringer, Thomas H. Troland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have measured the line-of-sight magnetic field toward the Sgr B2 North and Main regions with the VLA by Zeeman mapping of the H i line; Blos ≈ -0.5 mG with spatial variations of about 50%. It is likely that the H I absorption line is produced mainly within the massive molecular envelope surrounding the dense Sgr B2 cores; if so, the Blas we measure is that of the Sgr B2 molecular cloud complex. Maps of the plane-of-sky magnetic field direction from polarized emission of dust have led others to suggest that the present north-south elongation of the Sgr B2 cloud was due to infall along the predominantly east-west oriented magnetic field lines. Our measured magnetic field strength is approximately equal to the critical magnetic field required to support the entire cloud complex against gravitational collapse and thus provides support for this picture. Ambipolar diffusion heating may explain the high gas temperatures in the Sgr B2 cloud.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L79-L82
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume462
Issue number2 PART II
StatePublished - 1996

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
1The Very Large Array is a facility of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Funding Information:
This work has been supported by NSF grants AST 94-19227 and AST 93-20239 to the University of Illinois and AST 94-19220 to the University of Kentucky.

Funding

1The Very Large Array is a facility of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which is operated by Associated Universities, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. This work has been supported by NSF grants AST 94-19227 and AST 93-20239 to the University of Illinois and AST 94-19220 to the University of Kentucky.

FundersFunder number
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
National Science Foundation (NSF)AST 93-20239, AST 94-19227
Array BioPharma Incorporated
University of Kentucky
University of IllinoisAST 94-19220

    Keywords

    • H II regions
    • ISM: individual (Sagittarius B2)
    • ISM: magnetic fields
    • Radio lines: ISM

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Space and Planetary Science

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