Interferometric Studies of Low-Mass Protostars

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S280) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Jes K. Jørgensen
Keyword(s):  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractWith the advances in high angular resolution (sub)millimeter observations of low-mass protostars, windows of opportunities are opening up for very detailed studies of the molecular structure of star forming regions on wide range of spatial scales. Deeply embedded protostars provide an important laboratory to study the chemistry of star formation – providing the link between dense regions in molecular clouds from which stars are formed, i.e., the initial conditions and the end product in terms of, e.g., disk and planet formation. High angular resolution observations at (sub)millimeter wavelengths provide an important tool for studying the chemical composition of such low-mass protostars. They for example constrain the spatial molecular abundance variations – and can thereby identify which species are useful tracers of different components of the protostars at different evolutionary stages. In this review I discuss the possibilities and limitations of using high angular resolution (sub)millimeter interferometric observations for studying the chemical evolution of low-mass protostars – with a particular keen eye toward near-future ALMA observations.

scholarly journals The Circumstellar Environment of Embedded Massive Stars

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Fragmentation of a Protostellar Core: The Case of CB 230

2001 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Launhardt
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Binary Separation ◽  
Molecular Outflow ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Core Fragmentation

The Bok globule CB230 (L1177) contains an active, low-mass star-forming core which is associated with a double NIR reflection nebula, a collimated bipolar molecular outflow, and strong mm continuum emission. The morphology of the NIR nebula suggests the presence of a deeply embedded, wide binary protostellar system. High-angular resolution observations now reveal the presence of two sub-cores, two distinct outflow centers, and an embedded accretion disk associated with the western bipolar NIR nebula. Judging from the separation and specific angular momentum, the CB230 double protostar system probably results from core fragmentation and will end up at the upper end of the pre-main sequence binary separation distribution.

scholarly journals ALMA observations of water deuteration: a physical diagnostic of the formation of protostars

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A25 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Jensen ◽  
J. K. Jørgensen ◽  
L. E. Kristensen ◽  
K. Furuya ◽  
A. Coutens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Cloud Environment ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Cloud Dynamics ◽  
Solar System Bodies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Local Cloud

Context. How water is delivered to planetary systems is a central question in astrochemistry. The deuterium fractionation of water can serve as a tracer for the chemical and physical evolution of water during star formation and can constrain the origin of water in Solar System bodies. Aims. The aim is to determine the HDO/H2O ratio in the inner warm gas toward three low-mass Class 0 protostars selected to be in isolated cores, i.e., not associated with any cloud complexes. Previous sources for which the HDO/H2O ratio have been established were all part of larger star-forming complexes. Determining the HDO/H2O ratio toward three isolated protostars allows comparison of the water chemistry in isolated and clustered regions to determine the influence of local cloud environment. Methods. We present ALMA Band 6 observations of the HDO 31,2–22,1 and 21,1–21,2 transitions at 225.897 GHz and 241.562 GHz along with the first ALMA Band 5 observations of the H218O 31,3–22,0 transition at 203.407 GHz. The high angular resolution observations (0′′.3–1′′.3) allow the study of the inner warm envelope gas. Model-independent estimates for the HDO/H2O ratios are obtained and compared with previous determinations of the HDO/H2O ratio in the warm gas toward low-mass protostars. Results. We successfully detect the targeted water transitions toward the three sources with signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) > 5. We determine the HDO/H2O ratio toward L483, B335 and BHR71–IRS1 to be (2.2 ± 0.4) × 10−3, (1.7 ± 0.3) × 10−3, and (1.8 ± 0.4) × 10−3, respectively, assuming Tex = 124 K. The degree of water deuteration of these isolated protostars are a factor of 2–4 higher relative to Class 0 protostars that are members of known nearby clustered star-forming regions. Conclusions. The results indicate that the water deuterium fractionation is influenced by the local cloud environment. This effect can be explained by variations in either collapse timescales or temperatures, which depends on local cloud dynamics and could provide a new method to decipher the history of young stars.

scholarly journals The ALMA-PILS survey: propyne (CH3CCH) in IRAS 16293–2422

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A137 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Calcutt ◽  
E. R. Willis ◽  
J. K. Jørgensen ◽  
P. Bjerkeli ◽  
N. F. W. Ligterink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Excitation Temperature ◽  
Gas Phase Reactions ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Chemical Modelling ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Grain Surface

Context. Propyne (CH3CCH), also known as methyl acetylene, has been detected in a variety of environments, from Galactic star-forming regions to extragalactic sources. These molecules are excellent tracers of the physical conditions in star-forming regions, allowing the temperature and density conditions surrounding a forming star to be determined. Aims. This study explores the emission of CH3CCH in the low-mass protostellar binary, IRAS 16293–2422, and examines the spatial scales traced by this molecule, as well as its formation and destruction pathways. Methods. Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations from the Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS) were used to determine the abundances and excitation temperatures of CH3CCH towards both protostars. This data allows us to explore spatial scales from 70 to 2400 au. This data is also compared with the three-phase chemical kinetics model MAGICKAL, to explore the chemical reactions of this molecule. Results. CH3CCH is detected towards both IRAS 16293A and IRAS 16293B, and is found the hot corino components, one around each source, in the PILS dataset. Eighteen transitions above 3σ are detected, enabling robust excitation temperatures and column densities to be determined in each source. In IRAS 16293A, an excitation temperature of 90 K and a column density of 7.8 × 1015 cm−2 best fits the spectra. In IRAS 16293B, an excitation temperature of 100 K and 6.8 × 1015 cm−2 best fits the spectra. The chemical modelling finds that in order to reproduce the observed abundances, both gas-phase and grain-surface reactions are needed. The gas-phase reactions are particularly sensitive to the temperature at which CH4 desorbs from the grains. Conclusions. CH3CCH is a molecule whose brightness and abundance in many different regions can be utilised to provide a benchmark of molecular variation with the physical properties of star-forming regions. It is essential when making such comparisons, that the abundances are determined with a good understanding of the spatial scale of the emitting region, to ensure that accurate abundances are derived.

scholarly journals Peter Pan discs: finding Neverland’s parameters

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.

scholarly journals First Results from ATCA at Millimetre Wavelengths

2004 ◽  
Vol 221 ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
Vincent Minier
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Dust Emission ◽  
Protoplanetary Disks ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
First Results ◽  
Excellent Tool

The newly upgraded Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at millimetre wavelengths is the first millimetre interferometer to be built in the Southern Hemisphere. The full array will be operational in 2004-2005 and will provide arcsec angular resolution at 3 mm and 12 mm. This will be a unique instrument to study at high angular resolution the interstellar chemistry and more generally the star formation process, especially in the bulk of the galactic plane and in the Magellanic Clouds. The upgraded ATCA will also be an excellent tool to detect dust emission from nearby protoplanetary disks. In this paper I will present the first results from the upgraded ATCA at 3 mm and 12 mm. The result review will cover the topics of massive star formation and hot molecular cores dust emission from star-forming regions and detection of protoplanetary disks.

scholarly journals Extreme fragmentation and complex kinematics at the center of the L1287 cloud

2019 ◽  
Vol 621 ◽  
pp. A140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Juárez ◽  
Hauyu Baobab Liu ◽  
Josep M. Girart ◽  
Aina Palau ◽  
Gemma Busquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Gradient ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Young Stellar Objects ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Dense Gas ◽  
Continuum Image ◽  
Velocity Gradients ◽  
Low Mass

Aims. The filamentary ~10-pc-scale infrared dark cloud L1287 located at a parallax distance of ~929 pc is actively forming a dense cluster of low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs) at its inner ~0.1 pc region. To help understand the origin of this low-mass YSO cluster, the present work aims at resolving the gas structures and kinematics with high angular resolution. Methods. We performed ~1′′ angular resolution (~930 AU) observations at ~1.3 mm wavelengths using the Submillimeter Array (SMA), which simultaneously cover the dust continuum emission and various molecular line tracers for dense gas, warm gas, shocks, and outflows. Results. From a 1.3-mm continuum image with a resolution of ~2′′ we identified six dense cores, namely SMA1-6. Their gas masses are in the range of ~0.4–4 M⊙. From a 1.3-mm continuum image with a resolution of ~1′′, we find a high fragmentation level, with 14 compact millimeter sources within 0.1 pc: SMA3 contains at least nine internal condensations; SMA5 and SMA6 are also resolved with two internal condensations. Intriguingly, one condensation in SMA3 and another in SMA5 appear associated with the known accretion outburst YSOs RNO 1C and RNO 1B. The dense gas tracer DCN (3–2) well traces the dust continuum emission and shows a clear velocity gradient along the NW-SE direction centered at SMA3. There is another velocity gradient with opposite direction around the most luminous YSO, IRAS 00338 + 6312. Conclusions. The fragmentation within 0.1 pc in L1287 is very high compared to other regions at the same spatial scales. The incoherent motions of dense gas flows are sometimes interpreted by being influenced by (proto)stellar feedback (e.g., outflows), which is not yet ruled out in this particular target source. On the other hand, the velocities (with respect to the systemic velocity) traced by DCN are small, and the directions of the velocity gradients traced by DCN are approximately perpendicular to those of the dominant CO outflow(s). Therefore, we alternatively hypothesize that the velocity gradients revealed by DCN trace the convergence from the ≳0.1 pc scales infalling motion towards the rotational motions around the more compact (~0.02 pc) sources. This global molecular gas converging flow may feed the formation of the dense low-mass YSO cluster. Finally, we also found that IRAS 00338 + 6312 is the most likely powering source of the dominant CO outflow. A compact blue-shifted outflow from RNO 1C is also identified.

scholarly journals Properties of dense cores in clustered massive star-forming regions at high angular resolution

2013 ◽  
Vol 432 (4) ◽  
pp. 3288-3319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Álvaro Sánchez-Monge ◽  
Aina Palau ◽  
Francesco Fontani ◽  
Gemma Busquet ◽  
Carmen Juárez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Dense Cores

scholarly journals Fragmentation and disk formation during high-mass star formation

2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A100 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Beuther ◽  
J. C. Mottram ◽  
A. Ahmadi ◽  
F. Bosco ◽  
H. Linz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Spectral Line ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Disk Formation ◽  
Star Forming Regions

Context. High-mass stars form in clusters, but neither the early fragmentation processes nor the detailed physical processes leading to the most massive stars are well understood. Aims. We aim to understand the fragmentation, as well as the disk formation, outflow generation, and chemical processes during high-mass star formation on spatial scales of individual cores. Methods. Using the IRAM Northern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) in combination with the 30 m telescope, we have observed in the IRAM large program CORE the 1.37 mm continuum and spectral line emission at high angular resolution (~0.4″) for a sample of 20 well-known high-mass star-forming regions with distances below 5.5 kpc and luminosities larger than 104 L⊙. Results. We present the overall survey scope, the selected sample, the observational setup, and the main goals of CORE. Scientifically, we concentrated on the mm continuum emission on scales on the order of 1000 AU. We detect strong mm continuum emission from all regions, mostly due to the emission from cold dust. The fragmentation properties of the sample are diverse. We see extremes where some regions are dominated by a single high-mass core whereas others fragment into as many as 20 cores. A minimum-spanning-tree analysis finds fragmentation at scales on the order of the thermal Jeans length or smaller suggesting that turbulent fragmentation is less important than thermal gravitational fragmentation. The diversity of highly fragmented vs. singular regions can be explained by varying initial density structures and/or different initial magnetic field strengths. Conclusions. A large sample of high-mass star-forming regions at high spatial resolution allows us to study the fragmentation properties of young cluster-forming regions. The smallest observed separations between cores are found around the angular resolution limit which indicates that further fragmentation likely takes place on even smaller spatial scales. The CORE project with its numerous spectral line detections will address a diverse set of important physical and chemical questions in the field of high-mass star formation.

Pre- and protostellar cores in the Rosette Nebula

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 371-372
Author(s):  
R. Bögner ◽  
T. Csengeri ◽  
M. Wienen ◽  
N. Schneider ◽  
J. Montillaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Massive Star ◽  
Filamentary Structure ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rosette Nebula ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Cloud Cores ◽  
Gaining Insight

AbstractRecent theories on the formation of the Solar System turned the attention to the study of low mass cloud cores in massive star forming regions. The Rosette Molecular Cloud is a well-known star forming area having highly filamentary structure with dense cores covering a wide range of masses. These pre- and protostellar cores were observed by Herschel and key core properties were derived from its data. With the Effelsberg 100m telescope a sample of these cores with masses ranging between 3-40 M⊙ were observed in ammonia inversion lines. In this work we are examining the correlations between these two datasets with the aim of gaining insight of the processes behind the star formation of the region.

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