photodissociation region

photodissociation region

(foh-toh-di-soh-see-ay -shŏn, -shee-) (PDR) An interface between an H II region and a molecular cloud, where ultraviolet radiation escaping from the H II region dissociates molecules (including those of hydrogen and carbon monoxide), giving an increased abundance of the atomic forms of the constituents. The incident UV also leads to excitation and ionization of the dissociation products, and thus profoundly affects the chemistry in these regions. Well-known PDRs include those in the Orion nebula (face-on), and in the Omega nebula (edge-on).