The Astrophysical Journal · 1975 · 92 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAstrophysicsInterstellar MediumStellar AstronomyInterstellar Absorption LinesInterstellar ChemistryInterstellar GasInterstellar MoleculesMolecular CloudsMolecular Formation PathwaysAstronomical ObservationDimethyl EtherEmission SpectraInterstellar Molecule FormationLine Emission SpectraMolecular Formation In Interstellar CloudsMolecular Formation In The Interstellar MediumMolecule Formation In Molecular Clouds
Three transitions of trans-ethyl alcohol (CH3CH2OH) were detected in emission toward the Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud. The abundance of ethyl alcohol in the Sgr B2 cloud is comparable to that of many molecules previously detected there. Careful comparison of the abundance of ethyl alcohol with chemically related molecules such as its isomer dimethyl ether, acetaldehyde, and methyl alcohol may provide important information about mechanisms for molecular formation in the interstellar medium.