2004/10/13 by L. E. Snyder, F. J. Lovas, J. M. Hollis +6 · 8 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/426677
published as Astrophys.J. 619 (2005) 914-930 · 40 pages, 6 figures, to be published in the Astrophysical Journal (Feb. 1, 2005)
arxiv created 2004/10/13 · openalex publication_date 2005/01/28 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
In 2003, Kuan and coworkers reported the detection of interstellar glycine (NH 2 CH 2 COOH) based on observations of 27 lines in 19 different spectral bands in one or more of the sources Sgr B2(N-LMH), Orion KL, and W51 e1/e2. They supported their detection report with rotational temperature diagrams for all three sources. In this paper we present essential criteria that can be used in a straightforward analysis technique to confirm the identity of an interstellar asymmetric rotor such as glycine. We use new laboratory measurements of glycine as a basis for applying this analysis technique, both to our previously unpublished 12 m telescope data and to the previously published Swedish-ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST) data of Nummelin and colleagues. We conclude that key lines necessary for an interstellar glycine identification have not yet been found. We identify some common molecular candidates that should be examined further as more likely carriers of several of the lines reported as glycine. Finally, we illustrate that a rotational temperature diagram used without the support of correct spectroscopic assignments is not a reliable tool for the identification of interstellar molecules.