Observations of Formamide at 6 cm in Sagittarius B2

Abstract

Six hyperfine components of the 212-211 transition of formamide (NH2CHO) have been measured in the laboratory. The multiplet was subsequently observed in emission in the direction of Sgr B2 with the 64 m telescope at Parkes. The relative frequencies and intensities of the three strongest components in the hyperfine structure are in excellent agreement with the laboratory measurement. Their Doppler shift corresponds to a radial velocity of 62 kms-i.