Collisional excitation of interstellar molecules - Linear molecules CO, CS, OCS, and HC3N

Abstract

Rates for excitation of CO, CS, OCS, and HC3N by collisions with He atoms and H2 molecules are presented. These have been obtained from extensive theoretical calculations using methods of known reliability. In general, rates necessary for modeling interstellar molecular clouds with kinetic temperatures to 100 K have been included. Methods for fitting these rates in more compact form are discussed.