Search for hidden turbulent gas through interstellar scintillation

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of detecting hidden turbulent gas in the galaxy by observing interstellar scintillation effects on starlight, using a test with the ESO-NTT telescope.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to detect turbulent gas in the galaxy through interstellar scintillation observations and reports initial promising results from a dedicated test.

Findings

Initial test with ESO-NTT shows promising results

Interstellar scintillation can reveal hidden turbulent gas

Method has potential for galactic gas detection

Abstract

Stars twinkle because their light propagates through the atmosphere. The same phenomenon is expected when the light of remote stars crosses a Galactic - disk or halo - refractive medium such as a molecular cloud. We present the promising results of a test performed with the ESO-NTT and the perspectives of detection.