Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interstellar Matter

  • Conference paper
Infrared Astronomy

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((ASIC,volume 38))

Abstract

Most relevant observations agree with the standard “big bang” model in which the universe started to expand about 1.6E10 yrs. ago from a state of high density and high temperature. 1H and 4He and (in very minor quantities) their isotopes 2H = D and 3He formed at an expansion time t ~ 300 s. However, no elements with atomic number A ≥ 4 could form by neutron capture, the process by which D through 4He formed. In Table 1 I have compiled what I consider to be the best estimates of the primordial abundances (see also Section 2.5 and Wagoner, 1973). At t ~ 3E5 yrs. and temperatures of ~3000 K, free electrons combined with protons and He-nuclei and the radiation field decoupled from the matter. Today the radiation field is observed as an isotropic black-body background radiation of radiation temperature 2.7 K (see Fig. 5). Density fluctuations present in the primordial matter increased as a result of the expansion of the universe and protogalactic clouds formed with masses ranging from 1E12 MO to lE8 MO (and possibly less).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bania, T.M., 1977, Astrophys. J., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bless, R.C., Savage, B.D., 1970, “Ultraviolet Stellar Spectra and Ground-Based Observations”, edited by L. Houziaux and H.E. Butler, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Churchwell, E., Smith, L.F., Mathis, J., Mezger, P.G. and Huchtmeier, W., 1977, Astron. & Astrohys., submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgelin, Y.M. and Georgelin, Y.P., 1976, Astron. & Astrophys. 49, 57.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, T., 1976, Accademia Nazionale Dei Linci, Contribution Nr. 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, M.A. and Burton, W.B., 1976, Astrophys. J. 208, 346.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, L. and Pedlar, A., 1976, Mon. Not. Roy. astr. Soc. 176, 547.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoerner, V.S., 1968, “Interstellar Ionized Hydrogen”, edited by Y. Terzian, W.A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, p. 101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutner, M.L., Tucker, K.D., Chin, G. and Thaddeus, P., 1977, Astrophys. J., submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockman, F.J., 1976, Astrophys. J. 209, 429.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Low, C., and Lynden-Bell, D., 1976, Mon. Not. Roy. Astr. Soc. 176, 367.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Low, F.J., Kurtz, R.F., Poteet, W.M. and Nishimura, T., 1977, Astrophys. J. 214, L115.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mezger, P.G., Smith, L.F. and Churchwell, E., 1974, Astron. & Astrophys. 32, 269.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mezger, P.G. and Smith, L.F., 1975, IAU Proc. 3rd European Astr. Meeting, “Stars and Galaxies from Observational Point of View”, edited by E.K. Kharadze, Tbilisi, p. 369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezger, P.G. and Smith, L.F., 1976, Proc. IAU Symp. No. 75, “Star Formation”, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panagia, N. and Smith, L.F., 1911, Astron. & Astrophys., submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penzias, A.A., Wannier, P.G., Wilson, R.W. and Linke, R.A., 1977, Astrophys. J. 211, 108.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, R.J., Roesler, F.L. and Scherb, F., 1974, Astrophys. J. 192, L53.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryter, C.E. and Puget, J.L., 1977, Astrophys. J. 215, 775.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Salpeter, E.E., 1955, Astrophys. J. 121, 161.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L.F., Biermann, P. and Mezger, P.G., 1977, Astron. & Astrophys., submitted for publication. (SBM)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stecker, F.W., Puget, J.L. and Fazio, G.G., 1977, Astrophys. J. 214, L51.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Terzian, Y. and Davidson, K., 1976, Astrophys. and Space Science 44, 479.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R.I., Strittmatter, P.A., Erickson, E.F., Witteborn, F.C. and Strecker, P.W., 1977, preprint.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinsley, B.M., 1974, Astrophys. J. 192, 629.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagoner, R.V., 1973, Astrophys. J. 179, 343.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wendker, H.J. and Altenhoff, W.J., 1977, Astron. & Astrophys. 54, 301.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Westerhout, G., 1958, BAN 488, 215.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasinghe, N.C. and Nandy, K., 1972, Rep. Progr. Phys. 35, 157.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Witt, A.N. and Lillie, C.F., 1973, Astron. & Astrophys. 25, 397.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Witt, A.N. and Lillie, C.F., 1976, Astron. & Astrophys. 208, 64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, A.N. and Johnson, M.W., 1973, Astrophys. J. 181, 363.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yorke, H.W. and Krügel, E., 1977, Astron. & Astrophys. 54, 183.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yorke, H.W., 1977, Astron. & Astrophys., submitted for publication.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Bonn, West Germany

    P. G. Mezger

Authors
  1. P. G. Mezger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Radioastronomia CNR, University of Bologna, Italy

    Giancarlo Setti

  2. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass., USA

    Giovanni G. Fazio

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Mezger, P.G. (1978). Interstellar Matter. In: Setti, G., Fazio, G.G. (eds) Infrared Astronomy. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 38. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9815-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9815-5_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-9817-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9815-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation