The Ionized Component of Intermediate-Velocity Cloud Complex L

Abstract

We present the first full map of the H-alpha emission from the intermediate-velocity cloud Complex L. Kinematically resolved emission components from the ionized gas reveal a close spatial and velocity correspondence to that of the neutral gas as mapped by 21 cm line observations. Using a simple Gaussian component fitting technique, we compare the details of the emission from the two phases of Complex L. The mean velocity of the H-alpha and 21 cm emission are strongly correlated, but we find that the some of the ionized gas is systematically offset ~ -4 km/s relative to the neutral gas. Line widths are qualitatively comparable, but both emission components are too low signal-to-noise to study any differences between the phases. Finally, as with our previous study toward Complex K, we find I(H-alpha) is not strongly correlated to N(H I) along the same lines of sight through Complex L.