A Near-infrared Search for Molecular Gas in the Fermi Bubbles

DOI: 
10.3847/2515-5172/ac205d
Publication date: 
24/08/2021
Main author: 
Fox, Andrew J.
IAA authors: 
Cazzoli, Sara
Authors: 
Fox, Andrew J.;Kumari, Nimisha;Ashley, Trisha;Cazzoli, Sara;Bordoloi, Rongmon
Journal: 
Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
5
Pages: 
198
Abstract: 
We present Gemini/NIFS near-IR integral field spectroscopy of the fields-of-view around two AGNs behind the Fermi Bubbles (PDS 456 and 1H1613-097 ) to search for molecular gas in the Milky Way's nuclear wind. These two AGN sightlines were selected by the presence of high-velocity neutral and ionized gas seen in UV absorption. We do not detect any extended emission from the H<SUB>2</SUB> rovibrational S(0) and S(1) lines at 2.224 and 2.122 μm in either direction. For the H<SUB>2</SUB> 1-0 S(1) line, the 3σ surface brightness limits derived from spectra extracted across the full 3″ × 3″ NIFS field-of-view are 2.4 × 10<SUP>-17</SUP> erg cm<SUP>-2</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP> Å<SUP>-1</SUP> arcsec<SUP>-2</SUP> for PDS 456 and 4.9 × 10<SUP>-18</SUP> erg cm<SUP>-2</SUP> s<SUP>-1</SUP> Å<SUP>-1</SUP> arcsec<SUP>-2</SUP> for 1H1613-097. Given these non-detections, we conclude that CO emission studies and H<SUB>2</SUB> UV absorption studies are more promising approaches for characterizing molecular gas in the Fermi Bubbles.
Database: 
ADS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2021RNAAS...5..198F/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2021RNAAS...5..198F
Keywords: 
Galactic winds;Milky Way Galaxy;Galactic center;Interstellar molecules;Molecular spectroscopy;Interstellar emissions;Interstellar medium;572;1054;565;849;2095;840;847;Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies