Kinematical Study of Old HII Regions and Optical Counterpart to the DRAO Canadian Galactic Plane Survey

Abstract

This project aims to tackle a few unresolved problems related to the interstellar medium (ISM) by acting as an optical counterpart to the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS). We have three main objectives: (1) the study of large/old HII regions; (2) observations of targets-of-opportunity that may be found by the CGPS; (3) comparison of the kinematics of extragalactic (M33) and galactic HII regions. (1) Old HII regions having large spatial extents will be observed to establish their kinematical structure when almost no molecular material is left to produce photodissociated flows. Does turbulence play a role in these objects as for younger nebulae? (2) Ionised nebulae observed by the CGPS that are peculiar, either morphologically or by special association with neutral hydrogen, will also be observed. (3) The kinematical behaviour of old HII regions in M33 will be compared with that of galactic HII regions. With both data sets in hand we will check if HII regions, like supernovae, dump energy into the neutral ISM. The instrument used as well as some very preliminary data are presented.