CO observations towards W44E and W44F with APEX

The integrated intensities are compared to the outputs of a grid of models, which combine an MHD shock code with a radiative transfer module based on the 'large velocity gradient' approximation. Results: All extracted spectra show ambient and line-of-sight components as well as blue- and red-shifted wings indicating the presence of shocked gas. Basing the shock model fits only on the highest-lying transitions that unambiguously trace the shock-heated gas, we find that the observed CO line emission is compatible with non-stationary shocks and a pre-shock density of 10^4^cm^-3^.

The ages of the modelled shocks scatter between values of ~1000 and ~3000 years. The shock velocities in W44F are found to lie between 20 and 25km/s, while in W44E fast shocks (30-35km/s) as well as slower shocks (~20km/s) are compatible with the observed spectral line energy diagrams. The pre-shock magnetic field strength components perpendicular to the line-of-sight in both regions have values between 100 and 200uG.

Our best-fitting models allow us to predict the full ladder of CO transitions, the shocked gas mass in one beam as well as the momentum- and energy injection.