the observation of deuterium fractionation in hot molecular cores is currently interpreted as evaporation of deuterium-rich molecules from the icy grain mantles where they accummulated during the cold, dense cloud core stage. presently, however, that enrichment in deuterium of the ices, even though theoretically predicted, has never been observed. we therefore propose to measure the d/h ratio in water-ices in grain mantles towards a young stellar object embedded in a dense cloud, by observing the o-d stretch of hdo at 4.08 micrometers. its detection will provide the missing link between theory and observations in dark cloud chemistry. for the observation of the o-d stretch it is necessary to take a spectrum from virgul3.6 to virgul4.4 micrometers, the long-wavelength part of which is inaccessible from the ground, therefore the need for iso data.
Instrument
SWS06
Temporal Coverage
1997-04-14T17:02:09Z/1997-06-06T14:41:41Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the world's 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.
