Using reflection nebulae to study the diffuse interstellar bands

• Applicant: Frederic Hessman, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2016 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 328407358

I am requesting travel funds to cover the expenses of an observing run at McDonald Observatory in Texas/USA. I have been awarded 3 nights on th 2.7m telescopes VIRUS-P integral field unit (IFU) spectrograph to obtain spatially-resolved observations of diffuse interstellar absorption bands (DIB) against the background of two reflection nebulae. These spectral features are from largely unknown complex interstellar molecules and are somehow connected to the unidentified infrared emission (UIE) features but have hitherto not been observed at such high spatial resolution and controlled line-of-sights. The IFU spectra will permit us to study the presence and distribution of different DIB speicies and to compare the strengths with nebular properties like internal extinction. By also comparing the observed absorption spectrum with UIE maps produced by the Spitzer infrared telescope, we hope to gain better knowledge about the interstellar photochemistry and hence identification of these molecules.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Stefan Dreizler; Dr. Tim-Oliver Husser; Dr. Sebastian Kamann
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Martin Wendt