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Name:
Mark Wolfire Title: Associate Research Scientist Room: CSS 0235 Phone: (301) 405-1538 E-mail: mwolfire |
Mark Wolfire's primary research interests are in galactic and
extragalactic photodissociation regions (PDRs). PDRs are molecular or
atomic (neutral) gas in which far-ultraviolet radiation plays a role
in the chemistry and or heating. These can be atomic/molecular
interfaces near regions of star formation or diffuse interstellar
clouds illuminated by the average interstellar radiation field. Most
of the atomic neutral gas in the Galaxy resides in PDRs and most of
the IR line and continuum emission arises in PDR gas. Wolfire
calculates the thermal balance and chemical equilibrium of the warm
atomic/molecular layers and predicts the various infrared and
submillimeter lines which can be used as diagnostics of the gas
physical conditions and incident radiation field. The models have been
used extensively by KAO and ISO observers, and will be of great value
to future IR space missions including SIRTF, SOFIA, and FIRST. Models
and diagnostic contour plots are available through a WEB tool (http://dustem.astro.umd.edu or
at a mirror site at IPAC http://wits.ipac.caltech.edu).
Visit Mark Wolfire's Personal Home Page
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