GBT20A-451

Investigating the Ionized Gas of Orion and Taurus

Abstract

We propose for operator-run filler-time observations to map the ionized gas of the inner 2x1.6deg of the Orion Molecular Cloud at C-band. Using these data, we will test the diffuse ionized gas emission model from our recently (February 2020) published radio recombination line study of the W43 complex, and gain insight on the dynamical state of the ionized gas. In particular, the data will enable us to 1) better understand the effects of mechanical feedback in Orion; 2) analyze the impact of radiative feedback and trace the radiation field as a function of physical conditions; 3) determine the photoelectric heating efficiency as a function of the physical properties of the gas; and 4) investigate the effect of radiation escaping from the HII region on the nearby interstellar medium. Our data will be useful to the community, especially in the context of HII region and PDR evolution models. We will also conduct exploratory pointed observations towards the Taurus Molecular Cloud to determine the feasibility of a complementary map of Taurus. If our study of Orion and the pointed observations of Taurus are successful, we plan on expanding this project to include fully-sampled maps of Taurus and other large HII region complexes.

Investigators

Name	Institution
GBT Operator	Green Bank Observatory
Matteo Luisi *	Westminster College
William Armentrout	Green Bank Observatory
Loren Anderson	West Virginia University
Toney Minter	Green Bank Observatory
Pedro Salas	Green Bank Observatory

* indicates the PI