Millimeter polarimetry of star-forming regions: magnetic field structure around low-mass stars

AbstractMagnetic fields are believed to play an important role in star formation. We observed M42 and Mon R2 massive star forming regions using the wide-field (8′ × 8′) near-infrared imaging polarimeter SIRPOL in South Africa. Magnetic fields are mapped on the basis of dichroic polarized light from hundreds of young stars embedded in the regions. We found “hourglass shaped” magnetic field structure toward OMC-1 region, which is very consistent with magnetic fields traced by using dust emission polarimetry at sub-mm to FIR wavelengths. In the Mon R2 region, we found “S-shaped” magnetic field structure across the massive protostar IRS 1 and IRS 2. We will present the results of comparison of magnetic fields at NIR with those at other wavelengths.

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The Circumstellar Environment of Embedded Massive Stars

Highlights of Astronomy ◽

10.1017/s1539299600013083 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 143-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lee G. Mundy ◽

Friedrich Wyrowski ◽

Sarah Watt

Keyword(s):

Massive Star ◽

Massive Stars ◽

Low Mass Stars ◽

Submillimeter Wavelength ◽

Star Forming ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Low Mass ◽

Circumstellar Environments ◽

Near Future

Millimeter and submillimeter wavelength images of massive star-forming regions are uncovering the natal material distribution and revealing the complexities of their circumstellar environments on size scales from parsecs to 100’s of AU. Progress in these areas has been slower than for low-mass stars because massive stars are more distant, and because they are gregarious siblings with different evolutionary stages that can co-exist even within a core. Nevertheless, observational goals for the near future include the characterization of an early evolutionary sequence for massive stars, determination if the accretion process and formation sequence for massive stars is similar to that of low-mass stars, and understanding of the role of triggering events in massive star formation.

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Submillimeter Array Observations of Magnetic Fields in Star Forming Regions

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s174392131100024x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 (S270) ◽

pp. 103-106

Author(s):

R. Rao ◽

J.-M. Girart ◽

D. P. Marrone

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Star Formation ◽

Magnetic Fields ◽

Computational Models ◽

Dominant Role ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Mass Star ◽

Star Forming ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Low Mass

AbstractThere have been a number of theoretical and computational models which state that magnetic fields play an important role in the process of star formation. Competing theories instead postulate that it is turbulence which is dominant and magnetic fields are weak. The recent installation of a polarimetry system at the Submillimeter Array (SMA) has enabled us to conduct observations that could potentially distinguish between the two theories. Some of the nearby low mass star forming regions show hour-glass shaped magnetic field structures that are consistent with theoretical models in which the magnetic field plays a dominant role. However, there are other similar regions where no significant polarization is detected. Future polarimetry observations made by the Submillimeter Array should be able to increase the sample of observed regions. These measurements will allow us to address observationally the important question of the role of magnetic fields and/or turbulence in the process of star formation.

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Magnetic field structure of the star-forming region W3(OH) - VLBI spectral line results

The Astrophysical Journal ◽

10.1086/166154 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 326 ◽

pp. 954 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

J. A. Garcia-Barreto ◽

B. F. Burke ◽

M. J. Reid ◽

J. M. Moran ◽

A. D. Haschick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Spectral Line ◽

Field Structure ◽

Magnetic Field Structure ◽

Star Forming

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Astrometry in the Service of Planet Formation Studies: Disk Lifetimes in Nearby Star Forming Regions and a Planet Candidate around a Mature Brown Dwarf

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921313008454 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (S299) ◽

pp. 230-231

Author(s):

Alycia J. Weinberger ◽

Alan P. Boss ◽

Guillem Anglada-Escudé

Keyword(s):

Planet Formation ◽

Circumstellar Disks ◽

Giant Planets ◽

Brown Dwarf ◽

Low Mass Stars ◽

Nearby Star ◽

Star Forming ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Low Mass ◽

Stellar Associations

AbstractWe present preliminary astrometric results aimed at understanding the lifetime of circumstellar disks and potential for planet formation. We have obtained parallaxes to stars in the TW Hydrae, Upper Scorpius, and Chamaeleon I stellar associations. These enable new estimates for the ages of the stars. We are also performing the Carnegie Astrometric Planet Search of nearby low mass stars for gas giant planets on wide orbits. We have our first candidate around a mature brown dwarf.

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Search for radio jets from massive young stellar objects

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/202037652 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 645 ◽

pp. A29

Author(s):

Ü. Kavak ◽

Á. Sánchez-Monge ◽

A. López-Sepulcre ◽

R. Cesaroni ◽

F. F. S. van der Tak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Field Of View ◽

Radio Continuum ◽

High Mass ◽

Mass Star ◽

Low Mass Stars ◽

Star Forming ◽

Radio Jets ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Nonthermal Emission ◽

Low Mass

Context. Recent theoretical and observational studies debate the similarities of the formation process of high- (>8 M⊙) and low-mass stars. The formation of low-mass stars is directly associated with the presence of disks and jets. Theoretical models predict that stars with masses up to 140 M⊙ can be formed through disk-mediated accretion in disk-jet systems. According to this scenario, radio jets are expected to be common in high-mass star-forming regions. Aims. We aim to increase the number of known radio jets in high-mass star-forming regions by searching for radio-jet candidates at radio continuum wavelengths. Methods. We used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to observe 18 high-mass star-forming regions in the C band (6 cm, ≈1′′.0 resolution) and K band (1.3 cm, ≈0′′.3 resolution). We searched for radio-jet candidates by studying the association of radio continuum sources with shock activity signs (e.g., molecular outflows, extended green objects, and maser emission). Our VLA observations also targeted the 22 GHz H2O and 6.7 GHz CH3OH maser lines. Results. We have identified 146 radio continuum sources, 40 of which are located within the field of view of both images (C and K band maps). We derived the spectral index, which is consistent with thermal emission (between − 0.1 and + 2.0) for 73% of these sources. Based on the association with shock-activity signs, we identified 28 radio-jet candidates. Out of these, we identified 7 as the most probable radio jets. The radio luminosity of the radio-jet candidates is correlated with the bolometric luminosity and the outflow momentum rate. About 7–36% of the radio-jet candidates are associated with nonthermal emission. The radio-jet candidates associated with 6.7 GHz CH3OH maser emission are preferentially thermal winds and jets, while a considerable fraction of radio-jet candidates associated with H2O masers show nonthermal emission that is likely due to strong shocks. Conclusions. About 60% of the radio continuum sources detected within the field of view of our VLA images are potential radio jets. The remaining sources could be compact H II regions in their early stages of development, or radio jets for which we currently lack further evidence of shock activity. Our sample of 18 regions is divided into 8 less evolved infrared-dark regions and 10 more evolved infrared-bright regions. We found that ≈71% of the identified radio-jet candidates are located in the more evolved regions. Similarly, 25% of the less evolved regions harbor one of the most probable radio jets, while up to 50% of the more evolved regions contain one of these radio-jet candidates. This suggests that the detection of radio jets in high-mass star-forming regions is more likely in slightly more evolved regions.

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Disks around Young Brown Dwarfs

Symposium - International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0074180900210425 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 211 ◽

pp. 133-136

Author(s):

Michael C. Liu

Keyword(s):

Brown Dwarfs ◽

Circumstellar Disks ◽

Disk Accretion ◽

Low Mass Stars ◽

Star Forming ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Planetary Mass ◽

T Tauri ◽

Hα Emission ◽

Low Mass

We present some results from a systematic survey for disks around spectroscopically identified young brown dwarfs and very low mass stars. We find that ≈75% of our sample show intrinsic IR excesses, indicative of circum(sub)stellar disks. The observed excesses are well-correlated with Hα emission, consistent with a common disk accretion origin. Because the excesses are modest, conventional analyses using only IR colors would have missed most of the sources with disks. In the same star-forming regions, we find that disks around brown dwarfs and T Tauri stars are contemporaneous; assuming coevality, this demonstrates that substellar disks are at least as long-lived as stellar disks. Altogether, the frequency and properties of circumstellar disks are similar from the stellar regime down to the substellar and planetary-mass regime. This offers compelling evidence of a common origin for most stars and brown dwarfs.

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Peter Pan discs: finding Neverland’s parameters

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters ◽

10.1093/mnrasl/slaa098 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 496 (1) ◽

pp. L111-L115

Author(s):

Gavin A L Coleman ◽

Thomas J Haworth

Keyword(s):

Initial Conditions ◽

Mass Star ◽

Evolutionary Models ◽

Peter Pan ◽

Low Mass Stars ◽

Star Forming ◽

Star Forming Regions ◽

Accretion Rates ◽

Order Of Magnitude ◽

Low Mass

ABSTRACT Peter Pan discs are a recently discovered class of long-lived discs around low-mass stars that survive for an order of magnitude longer than typical discs. In this paper, we use disc evolutionary models to determine the required balance between initial conditions and the magnitude of dispersal processes for Peter Pan discs to be primordial. We find that we require low transport (α ∼ 10−4), extremely low external photoevaporation (${\le}10^{-9}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm yr^{-1}}$), and relatively high disc masses (>0.25M*) to produce discs with ages and accretion rates consistent with Peter Pan discs. Higher transport (α = 10−3) results in disc lifetimes that are too short and even lower transport (α = 10−5) leads to accretion rates smaller than those observed. The required external photoevaporation rates are so low that primordial Peter Pan discs will have formed in rare environments on the periphery of low-mass star-forming regions, or deeply embedded, and as such have never subsequently been exposed to higher amounts of UV radiation. Given that such an external photoevaporation scenario is rare, the required disc parameters and accretion properties may reflect the initial conditions and accretion rates of a much larger fraction of the discs around low-mass stars.

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