A&A 412, L15-L18 (2003)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20031649

Letter

Interstellar SiN

P. Schilke¹, S. Leurini¹, K. M. Menten¹ and J. Alcolea<sup>2

1</sup>  Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany
    e-mail: [schilke,sleurini,kmenten]@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de
²  Observatorio Astronómico Nacional, C/Alfonso XII, 3, 28014 Madrid, Spain
    e-mail: j.alcolea@oan.es

(Received 29 July 2003 / Accepted 23 October 2003)

Abstract
We report the detection of the silicon nitride (SiN) N=2-1, J=5/2-3/2 transition toward SgrB2(M), in absorption. Although it has been seen in a circumstellar envelope before, this is the first time this molecule has been detected in interstellar space. We estimate a column density of  cm ^-2, which is a factor of 20-50 lower than that of silicon monoxide (SiO) toward this source. It is likely that this molecule, like SiO and FeO, is created by gas-phase chemistry after refractory elements, previously locked up in grain cores, have been released by sputtering in shocks.

Key words: astrochemistry -- line: identification -- ISM: abundances -- ISM: molecules -- ISM: individual objects: SgrB2(M) -- radio lines: ISM

Offprint request: P. Schilke, schilke@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de

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