Exploring the spatial correlation between the kinematics of neutral hydrogen and diffuse x-ray emission in IC5332

or . . .

searching for really big bubbles

HI and Radio Astronomy

Neutral Hydrogen accounts for at least 95% of the interstellar medium. Astronomers are able to detect this hydrogen as it undergoes the spin-flip transition.

Hydrogen has one proton and one neutron. Both particles have a spin property which can be either spin up or spin down. These spins can be either parallel or anti-parallel. However, a parallel spin configuration requires more energy. When spins are parallel one will flip in order to achieve the lower energy state. When this occurs, a photon of wavelength 21cm (f = 1420Mhz) is released. This photon can then be detected by radio astronomers.

The data used in this project was obtained using the Australian Telescope Compact Array which consists of six 22m antennas. Both line and continuum data were taken. Line data refers to data obtained in multiple channels, each channel corresponding to a different frequency or velocity. Continuum data is taken over many different frequencies at once and can provide insight into recent supernovae activity.