MOLECULAR ASTROPHYSICS WITH THE SPITZER SPACETELESCOPE: STUDIES OF INTERSTELLAR SHOCKS

摘要

The Infrared Spectrograph onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope has proven to be a powerful tool for the study of astrophysical molecules, particularly in interstellar regions where the gas has been heated by shock waves. Recent observations — which have provided valuable information about the simple hydrides H2, HD, H20 and OH — are reviewed here.