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On the ionization of interstellar magnesium

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Abstract

It has been shown that two concentric ionization zones of interstellar magnesium must exist around each star: internal, with a radius coinciding with that of the zone of hydrogen ionizationS H; and external, with a radius greater thanS H, by one order. Unlike interstellar hydrogen, interstellar magnesium is ionized throughout the Galaxy. It also transpires that the ionizing radiation of ordinary hot stars cannot provide for the observed high degree of ionization of interstellar magnesium. The discrepance can be eliminated by assuming the existence of circumstellar clouds or additional ionization sources of interstellar magnesium (X-ray background radiation, high-energy particles, etc.). Stars of the B5 and B0 class play the main role in the formation of ionization zones of interstellar magnesium; the contribution of O class stars is negligible (<1%).

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  1. Garny Space Astronomy Laboratory, Erevan, Armenian S.S.R., U.S.S.R.

    G. A. Gurzadyan

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  1. G. A. Gurzadyan
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Gurzadyan, G.A. On the ionization of interstellar magnesium. Astrophys Space Sci 46, 485–497 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644392

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644392

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