CO observations of a sample towards nearby galaxies

Abstract

We have simultaneously observed $^{12}$CO, $^{13}$CO, and C$^{18}$O (J=1$-$0) rotational transitions in the centers of a sample of 58 nearby spiral galaxies using the 13.7-m millimeter-wave telescope of the Purple Mountain Observatory. Forty-two galaxies were detected in $^{13}$CO emission, but there was a null detection for C$^{18}$O emission with a sigma upper limit of 2 mK. Central beam ratios, \R, of $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO range mostly from 5 to 13, with an average value of 8.1$\pm$4.2, which is slightly lower than previous estimates for normal galaxies. Clear correlations are found between $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO luminosities. An average $X$-factor of $1.44\pm0.84\times10^{20}\ \mathrm{cm}^{-2} (\mathrm{K} \mathrm{km} \mathrm{s}^{-1})^{-1}$ is slightly lower than that in the Milky Way.