The first results of a study on the presence of certain compounds that indicate the presence of dense gas clouds in the tornado galaxy have been published. Based on these data, scientists will conduct the first in-depth studies of star formation conditions in another galaxy. To estimate the overall distribution of molecules in a particular region of space, scientists often use the CO indicator. Unfortunately, as research has shown, it is not suitable for searching for intense star-forming regions.

Instead astronomers began looking for hydrocyanic acid (HCN), but even here doubts were raised about its effectiveness as an indicator of dense gas clouds. Then the choice fell on N₂H+ detected in several molecular clouds of the Milky Way.

The fact is that the compound N in the presence of CO₂H+ decays, but star-forming regions are generally the coldest regions in space. Under these conditions carbon monoxide freezes, but N₂ H+ remains in its original form. However, due to the density of these clouds, their radiation is extremely weak; weaker than hydrocyanic acid, so N seeking₂ Outside our galaxy, H+ is confined to small regions of individual galaxies.

Even more interesting is the new study in which astronomers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the University of Bonn (Germany) managed to create a map of the N distribution.₂H+ in the entire central region of the Vyr galaxy. Data were collected using the NOEMA radio telescope. The results are published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The Whirlpool Galaxy, or M51, is a massive spiral galaxy located 8.52 megaparsecs (27.8 million light-years) away. For comparison: Andromeda is 0.778 megaparsecs.

The authors of the new study compared the N ratio.₂H+, HCN and CO in various branches of Vir. Radiation intensity in spiral sleeves is N₂H+ and hydrocyanic acid increase and increase simultaneously, that is, both parameters are good indicators of gas density in such regions, but this cannot be said about the central region of the galaxy.

In the central region, the brightness of HCN differs significantly from that of N.₂H+, i.e. some affects HCN but not N₂H+. Scientists suggested that this may be due to proximity to the active galactic core of the galaxy.

Apparently, N₂H+ is actually the best indicator of the presence of dense gas clouds where star formation usually occurs. Unfortunately, as the new study shows, N radiation₂H+ has on average five times weaker hydrocyanic acid emissions and approximately 80 times weaker CO emissions. So, to create such cards N₂H+ requires significantly longer observations.

“The spectral lines of various molecules allow us to draw accurate conclusions about the physical properties of the gas, for example its density. This makes it possible to investigate in detail which interstellar space contributes to star formation in galaxies. For the first time, we can study large regions of galaxies in this way and with a higher resolution than ever before.” We have the opportunity to study individual regions of star formation,” commented Professor Frank Bigiel. program leaders about the study.