one of the most remarkable discoveries from our mpe guaranteed-time program is the existence of enormous amounts (m virgul 10^9 msun) of warm (t=100-200k) molecular hydrogen (h2) gases in bright ir galaxies. by observing a number of rovibrational h2 lines, we will determine whether the h2 is excited by uv radiation field or shocks. with this information in hand, we will further investigate the mechanism which is generating the large luminosities of these galaxies.
Instrument
SWS02
Temporal Coverage
1998-02-25T10:17:46Z/1998-03-08T10:32:26Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the worlds first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
European Space Agency, EGAMI et al., 1999, 'SWS SPECTROSCOPY OF MOLECULAR HYDROGEN LINES IN BRIGHT IR GALAXIES', 1.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-512p31p