In Astronomy, one calls giant molecular cloud a cluster of Gaz of a Masse about 10⁴– 10⁶ solar masses.

Characteristics

Such “clouds” can extend on several tens of Parsec S, and have a average Densité of 10 ² – 10 ³ particles per cubic centimeter. By comparison, on the level of the Sun, this density is of a particle per cubic centimeter. These clouds have a complex structure, made filaments, irregular tablecloths, bubbles and zones.

The densest zones are called “molecular hearts”. Densest of them reach a density of 10⁴– 10⁶ particle per cubic centimeter. The observations revealed traces of Carbon monoxide and Ammonium. The concentration of dust in the hearts is normally sufficient to absorb the light of stars in background, which reveals the dark cloud on a luminous bottom: one speaks about obscure Nébuleuse.

Certain giant clouds are so broad, that one of them can cover part of a constellation, like the Nébuleuse of Orion for example. The majority of these clouds are on the Ceinture of Gould.

The zone gathering the most such clouds in the galaxy, the complex Sagittarius B2, form a ring around the galactic center, of of 120 parsecs. It is an area chemically rich, and used like example in the search for molecules in the interstellar environment.

See too

References

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