scholarly journals The Orion Nebula in the Far-Infrared: High-J CO and fine-structure lines mapped by FIFI-LS/SOFIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (S316) ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Randolf Klein ◽  
Leslie W. Looney ◽  
Erin Cox ◽  
Christian Fischer ◽  
Christof Iserlohe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Orion Nebula ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Molecular Outflow ◽  
Integral Field ◽  
Fine Structure Lines ◽  
Co Observations

AbstractThe Orion Nebula is the closest massive star forming region allowing us to study the physical conditions in such a region with high spatial resolution. We used the far infrared integral-field spectrometer, FIFI-LS, on-board the airborne observatory SOFIA to study the atomic and molecular gas in the Orion Nebula at medium spectral resolution.The large maps obtained with FIFI-LS cover the nebula from the BN/KL-object to the bar in several fine structure lines. They allow us to study the conditions of the photon-dominated region and the interface to the molecular cloud with unprecedented detail.Another investigation targeted the molecular gas in the BN/KL region of the Orion Nebula, which is stirred up by a violent explosion about 500 years ago. The explosion drives a wide angled molecular outflow. We present maps of several high-J CO observations, allowing us to analyze the heated molecular gas.

scholarly journals A dense, solar metallicity ISM in the z = 4.2 dusty star-forming galaxy SPT 0418−47

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos De Breuck ◽  
Axel Weiß ◽  
Matthieu Béthermin ◽  
Daniel Cunningham ◽  
Yordanka Apostolovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Line Ratio ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Solar Metallicity ◽  
Fine Structure Lines ◽  
Compact Array

We present a study of six far-infrared fine structure lines in the z = 4.225 lensed dusty star-forming galaxy SPT 0418−47 to probe the physical conditions of its interstellar medium (ISM). In particular, we report Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) detections of the [OI] 145 μm and [OIII] 88 μm lines and Atacama Compact Array (ACA) detections of the [NII] 122 and 205 μm lines. The [OI] 145 μm/[CII] 158 μm line ratio is ∼5× higher compared to the average of local galaxies. We interpret this as evidence that the ISM is dominated by photo-dissociation regions with high gas densities. The line ratios, and in particular those of [OIII] 88 μm and [NII] 122 μm imply that the ISM in SPT 0418−47 is already chemically enriched to nearly solar metallicity. While the strong gravitational amplification was required to detect these lines with APEX, larger samples can be observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and should allow observers to determine if the dense, solar metallicity ISM is common among these highly star-forming galaxies.

scholarly journals Probing the Baryon Cycle of Galaxies with SPICA Mid- and Far-Infrared Observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. F. S. van der Tak ◽  
S. C. Madden ◽  
P. Roelfsema ◽  
L. Armus ◽  
M. Baes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Supernova Remnants ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Turbulent Energy ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Infrared Telescope ◽  
Nearby Galaxies ◽  
Fine Structure Lines

AbstractThe SPICA mid- and far-infrared telescope will address fundamental issues in our understanding of star formation and ISM physics in galaxies. A particular hallmark of SPICA is the outstanding sensitivity enabled by the cold telescope, optimised detectors, and wide instantaneous bandwidth throughout the mid- and far-infrared. The spectroscopic, imaging, and polarimetric observations that SPICA will be able to collect will help in clarifying the complex physical mechanisms which underlie the baryon cycle of galaxies. In particular, (i) the access to a large suite of atomic and ionic fine-structure lines for large samples of galaxies will shed light on the origin of the observed spread in star-formation rates within and between galaxies, (ii) observations of HD rotational lines (out to ~10 Mpc) and fine structure lines such as [C ii] 158 μm (out to ~100 Mpc) will clarify the main reservoirs of interstellar matter in galaxies, including phases where CO does not emit, (iii) far-infrared spectroscopy of dust and ice features will address uncertainties in the mass and composition of dust in galaxies, and the contributions of supernovae to the interstellar dust budget will be quantified by photometry and monitoring of supernova remnants in nearby galaxies, (iv) observations of far-infrared cooling lines such as [O i] 63 μm from star-forming molecular clouds in our Galaxy will evaluate the importance of shocks to dissipate turbulent energy. The paper concludes with requirements for the telescope and instruments, and recommendations for the observing strategy.

scholarly journals Properties of galaxies at z ≈ 7 – 9 revealed by ALMA

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S352) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Takuya Hashimoto
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
High Luminosity ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
High Ionization ◽  
Very High ◽  
Modern Astronomy ◽  
Fine Structure Lines

AbstractUnderstanding properties of galaxies in the epoch of reionization (EoR) is a frontier in the modern astronomy. With the advent of ALMA, it has become possible to detect far-infrared fine structure lines (e.g. [CII] 158 μm and [OIII] 88 μm) and dust continuum emission in star-forming galaxies in the EoR. Among these lines, our team is focusing on [OIII] 88 μm observations in high-z galaxies. After the first detection of [OIII] in the epoch of reionization (EoR) in 2016 from our team at z = 7.21, there are now more than ten [OIII] detections at z > 6 up to z = 9.11. Interestingly, high-z galaxies typically have very high [OIII]-to-[CII] luminosity ratio ranging from 3 to 12 or higher, demonstrating [OIII] is a powerful tracer at high-z. The high luminosity ratios may imply that high-z galaxies have low gas-phase metallicity and/or high ionization states.

scholarly journals AGN Spectra as Seen by the Infrared Space Observatory: First Results

1997 ◽  
Vol 159 ◽  
pp. 333-336
Author(s):  
D. Lutz ◽  
R. Genzel ◽  
E. Sturm ◽  
A.F.M. Moorwood ◽  
E. Oliva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Short Wavelength ◽  
Molecular Hydrogen ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Space Observatory ◽  
Infrared Space Observatory ◽  
First Results ◽  
External Galaxies ◽  
First Time ◽  
Fine Structure Lines

AbstractWe discuss 2.5–45 µm spectra of the Circinus galaxy and of Cen A, obtained with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) on board the Infrared Space Observatory. The large number of detected ionic fine structure lines, observable also in visually obscured sources, provides strong constraints on the shape of the ionizing spectrum, which is found to exhibit a UV bump peaking at ~ 70 eV in the case of Circinus. Pure rotational emission of molecular hydrogen, directly probing warm molecular gas, can for the first time be detected in external galaxies.

scholarly journals Hidden molecular outflow in the LIRG Zw 049.057

2018 ◽  
Vol 609 ◽  
pp. A75 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Falstad ◽  
S. Aalto ◽  
J. G. Mangum ◽  
F. Costagliola ◽  
J. S. Gallagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Far Infrared ◽  
Minor Axis ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Nuclear Activity ◽  
Molecular Outflow ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Excitation Conditions

Context. Feedback in the form of mass outflows driven by star formation or active galactic nuclei is a key component of galaxy evolution. The luminous infrared galaxy Zw 049.057 harbours a compact obscured nucleus with a possible far-infrared signature of outflowing molecular gas. Due to the high optical depths at far-infrared wavelengths, however, the interpretation of the outflow signature is uncertain. At millimeter and radio wavelengths, the radiation is better able to penetrate the large columns of gas and dust responsible for the obscuration. Aims. We aim to investigate the molecular gas distribution and kinematics in the nucleus of Zw 049.057 in order to confirm and locate the molecular outflow, with the ultimate goal to understand how the nuclear activity affects the host galaxy. Methods. We used high angular resolution observations from the Submillimeter Array (SMA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to image the CO J = 2–1 and J = 6–5 emission, the 690 GHz continuum, the radio centimeter continuum, and absorptions by rotationally excited OH. Results. The CO line profiles exhibit wings extending ~ 300 km s-1 beyond the systemic velocity. At centimeter wavelengths, we find a compact (~ 40 pc) continuum component in the nucleus, with weaker emission extending several 100 pc approximately along the major and minor axes of the galaxy. In the OH absorption lines toward the compact continuum, wings extending to a similar velocity as for the CO are only seen on the blue side of the profile. The weak centimeter continuum emission along the minor axis is aligned with a highly collimated, jet-like dust feature previously seen in near-infrared images of the galaxy. Comparison of the apparent optical depths in the OH lines indicate that the excitation conditions in Zw 049.057 differ from those within other OH megamaser galaxies. Conclusions. We interpret the wings in the spectral lines as signatures of a nuclear molecular outflow. A relation between this outflow and the minor axis radio feature is possible, although further studies are required to investigate this possible association and understand the connection between the outflow and the nuclear activity. Finally, we suggest that the differing OH excitation conditions are further evidence that Zw 049.057 is in a transition phase between megamaser and kilomaser activity.

scholarly journals Molecular Gas in the Magellanic Clouds

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Rubio
Keyword(s):  
Line Emission ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Hydrogen Column Density ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Co Emission

The molecular gas content in the Magellanic Clouds has been studied, with different spatial coverage and resolution, through obervations of CO(1-0) line emission. In the LMC and the SMC the molecular gas is dominated by clouds whose properties are different from those of their Galactic counterparts. The relation between the intensity of CO emission and molecular hydrogen column density, or the conversion factor X, is different than that of molecular clouds in our Galaxy and depends on the ambient physical conditions. Studying the molecular gas through observations in the H2 emission line may prove an alternative way to determine the molecular content associated with star forming regions in the Magellanic Clouds. In particular, results obtained towards 30 Doradus in the LMC are presented.

scholarly journals The molecular gas in Luminous Infrared Galaxies: a new emergent picture

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S292) ◽  
pp. 209-214
Author(s):  
Padelis P. Papadopoulos ◽  
Zhi-Yu Zhang ◽  
Axel Weiss ◽  
Paul van der Werf ◽  
Kate Isaak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Infrared Galaxies ◽  
Space Observatory ◽  
Local Universe ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Luminous Infrared Galaxies ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
J 13 ◽  
Line Survey

AbstractResults from a large, multi-J CO, 13CO, and HCN line survey of Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs: LIR≥ 1010 L⊙) in the local Universe (z≤0.1), complemented by CO J=4–3 up to J=13–12 observations from the Herschel Space Observatory (HSO), paints a new picture for the average conditions of the molecular gas of the most luminous of these galaxies with turbulence and/or large cosmic ray (CR) energy densities UCR rather than far-UV/optical photons from star-forming sites as the dominant heating sources. Especially in ULIRGs (LIR>1012 L⊙) the Photon Dominated Regions (PDRs) can encompass at most a few % of their molecular gas mass while the large UCR∼ 103 UCR, Galaxy, and the strong turbulence in these merger/starbursts, can volumetrically heat much of their molecular gas to Tkin∼ (100-200) K, unhindered by the high dust extinctions. Moreover the strong supersonic turbulence in ULIRGs relocates much of their molecular gas at much higher average densities (≥104 cm−3) than in isolated spirals (∼ 102–103 cm−3). This renders low-J CO lines incapable of constraining the properties of the bulk of the molecular gas in ULIRGs, with substantial and systematic underestimates of its mass possible when only such lines are used. Finally a comparative study of multi-J HCN lines and CO SLEDs from J=1–0 up to J=13–12 of NGC 6240 and Arp 193 offers a clear example of two merger/starbursts whose similar low-J CO SLEDs, and LIR/LCO,1−0 and LHCN, 1−0/LCO,1-0 ratios (proxies of the so-called SF efficiency and dense gas mass fraction), yield no indications about their strongly diverging CO SLEDs beyond J=4–3, and ultimately the different physical conditions in their molecular ISM. The much larger sensitivity of ALMA and its excellent site in the Atacama desert now allows the observations necessary to assess the dominant energy sources of the molecular gas and its mass in LIRGs without depending on the low-J CO lines.

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