Submillimeter and Far-Infrared Spectroscopy of M17 and S106: UV-heated, Quiescent Molecular Gas?

Measurements of CO line emission toward the interface between molecular cloud and HII region in M17, and the center of the bipolar nebula S106 are discussed. The warm quiescent molecular gas is in the interface between the exciting OB stars and the surrounging molecular cloud. Comparison of the submillimeter, far-IR, and millimeter CO line intensities and profiles suggests a model in which clumps of relatively cool gas (T = 50 K) have warm surfaces or are embedded in a warm surrounding medium. Heating of the warm, quiescent molecular gas by collisions with dust grains can be excluded. Slow shocks or heating by photoelectrons are possible. The most promising mechanism is photoelectric heating. The existence of a substantial amount of warm, quiescent molecular gas in UV illuminated regions may be of importance locally in most OB star formation regions and globally in external galaxies with large rates of star formation.