GBT14A-282

A Survey of Carbodiimide (HNCNH) in the Universe

Abstract

We have recently reported the first detection of interstellar carbodiimide (HNCNH) in the GBT PRIMOS Survey Project through observations of several cm-wave maser transitions (McGuire et al. 2012). Along with methanol (CH3OH), HNCNH is one of the most chemically-complex molecular masers ever detected. It is also very likely an excellent tracer of complex chemical processing in interstellar ices. Unlike other long-known and well-characterized masers, we are only now beginning to understand the chemical and physical processes surrounding HNCNH and its potential value to astrophysical and astrochemical research. Therefore, we propose a broad search for the strongest HNCNH maser lines (4.3 GHz and 4.8 GHz) in a wide variety of both galactic and extragalactic environments using the combined resources of the GBT and Arecibo Observatories.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Brett McGuire *	National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Brandon Carroll	California Institute of Technology
Ryan Loomis	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Geoffrey Blake	California Institute of Technology
Tony Remijan	National Radio Astronomy Observatory

* indicates the PI