N2H+ and N2D+ in interstellar molecular clouds. II- Observations

TL;DR

This paper reports observations of N2H+ and N2D+ molecules in dark interstellar clouds, analyzing their rotational transitions with radiative transfer models to understand molecular cloud properties.

Contribution

It provides new observational data and modeling of N2H+ and N2D+ in dark clouds, enhancing understanding of their physical conditions.

Findings

Detected multiple rotational transitions of N2H+ and N2D+

Applied non-local radiative transfer models to interpret data

Improved understanding of molecular cloud chemistry and structure

Abstract

We present observations of the $J$=1--0, 2--1, and 3--2 rotational transitions of N$_2$H$^+$ and N$_2$D$^+$ towards a sample of prototypical dark clouds. The data have been interpreted using non--local radiative transfer models.