Properties of Interstellar Turbulence in Galactic Ring Survey

  • Published : 2010.04.06

Abstract

We have studied the properties of interstellar turbulence as observed by Boston University-Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (BU-FCRAO) Galactic Ring Survey (GRS). This observation uses 13CO J=$1{\rightarrow}0$ emission with high spectral resolution of 0.21 kms-1 and covers wide galactic plane regions ($18^{\circ}$ < 1 < $55.7^{\circ}$ and -1 < b < $1^{\circ}$). Firstly, we measured the one dimensional power spectrum of 13CO intensity along the galactic longitude and along the galactic latitude. We found the slope of the power spectrum changes around the molecular ring structure and the center of the galactic plane. Secondly, we explored how the power spectral slope is related with the velocity dispersion of supersonic giant molecular clouds in the GRS. Finally, we suggest the turbulent nature of the interstellar medium is connected with star formation activities in spiral arms.

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