A first look for molecules between 103 and 133MHz using the Murchison Widefield Array

We detail and present results from a pilot study to assess the feasibility of detecting molecular lines at low radio frequencies. We observed a 400 square degree region centred on the Galactic Centre with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) between 103 and 133\,MHz targeting 28 known molecular speci...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tremblay, C., Hurley-Walker, N., Cunningham, M., Jones, P., Hancock, Paul, Wayth, R., Jordan, C.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Oxford University Press 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/57960
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx1838
Description
Summary:We detail and present results from a pilot study to assess the feasibility of detecting molecular lines at low radio frequencies. We observed a 400 square degree region centred on the Galactic Centre with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) between 103 and 133\,MHz targeting 28 known molecular species that have significant transitions. The results of this survey yield tentative detections of nitric oxide (NO) and the mercapto radical (SH). Both of these molecules appear to be associated with evolved stars.