Ammonia Observations of the Molecular Cloud Near S106

The region surrounding the optical nebula S106 has been mapped in the J=1,K=1 (1,1) transition of ammonia with a 2.2 arc min. beam. The source is observed as two components with the HII region sandwiched between them. It is likely that the asymmetry of the optical nebula is produced by preferential escape of u.v. radiation from the central source of excitation in directions of reduced density within the molecular condensation. Observations of the (1,1) and (2,2) transitions yield a kinetic temperature for the NH 3 molecules in the range 18-22K. There is evidence for “clumpiness” in the distribution of matter.