Microwave detection of interstellar cyanamide

Abstract

We report the detection of interstellar cyanamide (NH2CN) based on the observation of line emission in Sgr B2 at 80504.5 and 100629.5 MHz corresponding to the transitions 4(13)-3(12) and 5(14)-3(13). Statistical equilibrium calculations indicate a low column density (about 100 trillions per sq cm) arising from a rather high density region (greater than about 100,000 per cu cm).