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Molecular Hydrogen In Star-Forming Regions: Implementation Of Its Microphysics In Cloudy, G. Shaw, Gary J. Ferland, N. P. Abel, P. C. Stancil, P. A. M. Van Hoof

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Much of the baryonic matter in the universe is in the form of H₂, which includes most of the gas in Galactic and extragalactic interstellar clouds. Molecular hydrogen plays a significant role in establishing the thermal balance in many astrophysical environments and can be important as a spectral diagnostic of the gas. Modeling and interpretation of observations of such environments requires a quantitatively complete and accurate treatment of H₂. Using this microphysical model of H₂, we present illustrative calculations of prototypical astrophysical environments. This work forms the foundation for future investigations of these and …