Molecular Gas in Galaxies

Molecular gas is critical in determining both the morphology and evolution of galactic disks. It is within the giant molecular clouds that interstellar gas is cycled into the next generation of stars, and the most massive of
\nthese young stars produce a major part of the galactic luminosity. In addition, the dense interstellar medium, as it is highly dissipative, probably plays a fundamental part in determining the outcome of galactic interactions.
\nOver the last two decades, CO observations have been used to
\nprobe the molecular component of hundreds of galaxies from the Local Group to the Virgo cluster, and in luminous galaxies with recession velocities up to cz = 45,000 km s^(-1).