Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Context. Argonium has recently been detected as a ubiquitous molecule in our Galaxy. Model calculations indicate that its abundance peaks at molecular fractions in the range of 10-4 to 10-3 and that the observed column densities require high values of the cosmic ray ionization rate. Therefore, this molecular cation may serve as an excellent tracer of the very diffuse interstellar medium (ISM), as well as an indicator of the cosmic ray ionization rate.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A 2015 study studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: