scholarly journals Multi-line Herschel/HIFI observations of water reveal infall motions and chemical segregation around high-mass protostars

2019 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. A103 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. F. S. van der Tak ◽  
R. F. Shipman ◽  
T. Jacq ◽  
F. Herpin ◽  
J. Braine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spherical Shape ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Chemical Information ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Chemical Homogeneity ◽  
Water Abundance ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Warm Core ◽  
Molecular Abundances

Context. The physical conditions during high-mass star formation are poorly understood. Outflow and infall motions have been detected around massive protostellar objects, but their dependence on mass, luminosity, and age is unclear. In addition, physical conditions and molecular abundances are often estimated using simple assumptions such as spherical shape and chemical homogeneity, which may limit the accuracy of the results. Aims. We aim to characterize the dust and gas distribution and kinematics of the envelopes of high-mass protostars. In particular, we search for infall motions, abundance variations, and deviations from spherical symmetry, using Herschel data from the WISH program. Methods. We used HIFI maps of the 987 GHz H2O 202–111 emission to measure the sizes and shapes of 19 high-mass protostellar envelopes. To identify infall, we used HIFI spectra of the optically thin C18O 9–8 and H218O 111–000 lines. The high-J C18O line traces the warm central material and redshifted H218O 111–000 absorption indicates material falling onto the warm core. We probe small-scale chemical differentiation by comparing H2O 752 and 987 GHz spectra with those of H218O. Results. Our measured radii of the central part of the H2O 202–111 emission are 30–40% larger than the predictions from spherical envelope models, and axis ratios are <2, which we consider good agreement. For 11 of the 19 sources, we find a significant redshift of the H218O 111–000 line relative to C18O 9–8. The inferred infall velocities are 0.6–3.2 km s−1, and estimated mass inflow rates range from 7 × 10−5 to 2 × 10−2 M⊙ yr−1. The highest mass inflow rates seem to occur toward the sources with the highest masses, and possibly the youngest ages. The other sources show either expanding motions or H218O lines in emission. The H218O 111–000 line profiles are remarkably similar to the differences between the H2O 202–111 and 211–202 profiles, suggesting that the H218O line and the H2O 202–111 absorption originate just inside the radius where water evaporates from grains, typically 1000–5000 au from the center. In some sources, the H218O line is detectable in the outflow, where no C18O emission is seen. Conclusions. Together, the H218O absorption and C18O emission profiles show that the water abundance around high-mass protostars has at least three levels: low in the cool outer envelope, high within the 100 K radius, and very high in the outflowing gas. Thus, despite the small regions, the combination of lines presented in this work reveals systematic inflows and chemical information about the outflows.

scholarly journals Mapping the 13CO/C18O abundance ratio in the massive star-forming region G29.96−0.02

2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A14 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Paron ◽  
M. B. Areal ◽  
M. E. Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Abundance Ratio ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Local Thermal Equilibrium ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Galactocentric Distance ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Molecular Abundances

Aims. Estimating molecular abundances ratios from directly measuring the emission of the molecules toward a variety of interstellar environments is indeed very useful to advance our understanding of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, and hence of the physical processes related to the chemistry. It is necessary to increase the sample of molecular clouds, located at different distances, in which the behavior of molecular abundance ratios, such as the 13CO/C18O ratio, is studied in detail. Methods. We selected the well-studied high-mass star-forming region G29.96−0.02, located at a distance of about 6.2 kpc, which is an ideal laboratory to perform this type of study. To study the 13CO/C18O abundance ratio (X13∕18) toward this region, we used 12CO J = 3–2 data obtained from the CO High-Resolution Survey, 13CO and C18O J = 3–2 data from the 13CO/C18O (J = 3–2) Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey, and 13CO and C18O J = 2–1 data retrieved from the CDS database that were observed with the IRAM 30 m telescope. The distribution of column densities and X13∕18 throughout the extension of the analyzed molecular cloud was studied based on local thermal equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE methods. Results. Values of X13∕18 between 1.5 and 10.5, with an average of about 5, were found throughout the studied region, showing that in addition to the dependency of X13∕18 and the galactocentric distance, the local physical conditions may strongly affect this abundance ratio. We found that correlating the X13∕18 map with the location of the ionized gas and dark clouds allows us to suggest in which regions the far-UV radiation stalls in dense gaseous components, and in which regions it escapes and selectively photodissociates the C18O isotope. The non-LTE analysis shows that the molecular gas has very different physical conditions, not only spatially throughout the cloud, but also along the line of sight. This type of study may represent a tool for indirectly estimating (from molecular line observations) the degree of photodissociation in molecular clouds, which is indeed useful to study the chemistry in the interstellar medium.

scholarly journals What did the seahorse swallow? APEX 170 GHz observations of the chemical conditions in the Seahorse infrared dark cloud

2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. A65 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Miettinen
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Line Emission ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
Absorption Lines ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Evolutionary Trends ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Molecular Abundances

Context. Infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) are useful target sources for the studies of molecular cloud substructure evolution and early stages of star formation. Determining the chemical composition of IRDCs helps to constrain the initial conditions and timescales (via chemical clocks) of star formation in these often filamentary, dense interstellar clouds. Aims. We aim to determine the fractional abundances of multiple different molecular species in the filamentary IRDC G304.74+01.32, nicknamed the Seahorse IRDC, and to search for relationships between the abundances and potential evolutionary trends. Methods. We used the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope to observe spectral lines occurring at about 170 GHz frequency towards 14 positions along the full extent of the Seahorse filament. The sample is composed of five clumps that appear dark in the mid-IR, eight clumps that are associated with mid-IR sources, and one clump that is already hosting an H II region and is, hence, likely to be in the most advanced stage of evolution of all the target sources. We also employed our previous 870 μm dust continuum imaging data of the Seahorse. Results. Six spectral line transitions were detected (≥3σ) altogether, namely, SO(NJ = 44−33), H13CN(J = 2−1), H13CO+(J = 2−1), SiO(J = 4−3), HN13C(J = 2−1), and C2H(N = 2−1). While SO, H13CO+, and HN13C were detected in every source, the detection rates for C2H and H13CN were 92.9 and 85.7%, respectively. Only one source (SMM 3) showed detectable SiO emission (7.1% detection rate). Three clumps (SMM 5, 6, and 7) showed the SO, H13CN, H13CO+, HN13C, and C2H lines in absorption. Of the detected species, C2H was found to be the most abundant one with respect to H2 (a few times 10−9 on average), while HN13C was found to be the least abundant species (a few times 10−11). We found three positive correlations among the derived molecular abundances, of which those between C2H and HN13C and HN13C and H13CO+ are the most significant (correlation coefficient r ≃ 0.9). The statistically most significant evolutionary trends we uncovered are the drops in the C2H abundance and in the [HN13C]∕[H13CN] ratio as the clump evolves from an IR dark stage to an IR bright stage and then to an H II region. Conclusions. The absorption lines detected towards SMM 6 and SMM 7 could arise from continuum radiation from an embedded young stellar object and an extragalactic object seen along the line of sight. However, the cause of absorption lines in the IR dark clump SMM 5 remains unclear. The correlations we found between the different molecular abundances can be understood as arising from the gas-phase electron (ionisation degree) and atomic carbon abundances. With the exception of H13CN and H13CO+, the fractional abundances of the detected molecules in the Seahorse are relatively low compared to those in other IRDC sources. The [C2H] evolutionary indicator we found is in agreement with previous studies, and can be explained by the conversion of C2H to other species (e.g. CO) when the clump temperature rises, especially after the ignition of a hot molecular core in the clump. The decrease of [HN13C]∕[H13CN] as the clump evolves is also likely to reflect the increase in the clump temperature, which leads to an enhanced formation of HCN and its 13C isotopologue. Both single-dish and high-resolution interferometric imaging of molecular line emission (or absorption) of the Seahorse filament are required to understand the large-scale spatial distribution of the gas and to search for possible hot, high-mass star-forming cores in the cloud.

scholarly journals Probing the initial conditions of high-mass star formation

2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. A85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan-Peng Zhang ◽  
Timea Csengeri ◽  
Friedrich Wyrowski ◽  
Guang-Xing Li ◽  
Thushara Pillai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Dust Emission ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
H Ii Regions ◽  
Mass Star

Context. Fragmentation and feedback are two important processes during the early phases of star formation. Aims. Massive clumps tend to fragment into clusters of cores and condensations, some of which form high-mass stars. In this work, we study the structure of massive clumps at different scales, analyze the fragmentation process, and investigate the possibility that star formation is triggered by nearby H ii regions. Methods. We present a high angular resolution study of a sample of massive proto-cluster clumps G18.17, G18.21, G23.97N, G23.98, G23.44, G23.97S, G25.38, and G25.71. Combining infrared data at 4.5, 8.0, 24, and 70 μm, we use a few arcsecond resolution, radiometer and millimeter inteferometric data taken at 1.3 cm, 3.5 mm, 1.3 mm, and 870 μm to study their fragmentation and evolution. Our sample is unique in the sense that all the clumps have neighboring H ii regions. Taking advantage of that, we tested triggered star formation using a novel method where we study the alignment of the center of mass traced by dust emission at multiple scales. Results. The eight massive clumps, identified based on single-dish observations, have masses ranging from 228 to 2279 M⊙ within an effective radius of Reff ~ 0.5 pc. We detect compact structures towards six out of the eight clumps. The brightest compact structures within infrared bright clumps are typically associated with embedded compact radio continuum sources. The smaller scale structures of Reff ~ 0.02 pc observed within each clump are mostly gravitationally bound and massive enough to form at least a B3-B0 type star. Many condensations have masses larger than 8 M⊙ at a small scale of Reff ~ 0.02 pc. We find that the two infrared quiet clumps with the lowest mass and lowest surface density with <300 M⊙ do not host any compact sources, calling into question their ability to form high-mass stars. Although the clumps are mostly infrared quiet, the dynamical movements are active at clump scale (~1 pc). Conclusions. We studied the spatial distribution of the gas conditions detected at different scales. For some sources we find hints of external triggering, whereas for others we find no significant pattern that indicates triggering is dynamically unimportant. This probably indicates that the different clumps go through different evolutionary paths. In this respect, studies with larger samples are highly desired.

scholarly journals Complex cyanides as chemical clocks in hot cores

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A67 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Allen ◽  
F. F. S. van der Tak ◽  
C. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Chemical Difference ◽  
Gas Density ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Dust Temperature ◽  
Ionization Rates

Context. In the high-mass star-forming region G35.20−0.74N, small scale (~800 AU) chemical segregation has been observed in which complex organic molecules containing the CN group are located in a small location (toward continuum peak B3) within an apparently coherently rotating structure. Aims. We aim to determine the physical origin of the large abundance difference (~4 orders of magnitude) in complex cyanides within G35.20−0.74 B, and we explore variations in age, gas/dust temperature, and gas density. Methods. We performed gas-grain astrochemical modeling experiments with exponentially increasing (coupled) gas and dust temperature rising from 10 to 500 K at constant H2 densities of 107 cm−3, 108 cm−3, and 109 cm−3. We tested the effect of varying the initial ice composition, cosmic-ray ionization rate (1.3 × 10−17 s−1, 1 × 10−16 s−1, and 6 × 10−16 s−1), warm-up time (over 50, 200, and 1000 kyr), and initial (10, 15, and 25 K) and final temperatures (300 and 500 K). Results. Varying the initial ice compositions within the observed and expected ranges does not noticeably affect the modeled abundances indicating that the chemical make-up of hot cores is determined in the warm-up stage. Complex cyanides vinyl and ethyl cyanide (CH2CHCN and C2H5CN, respectively) cannot be produced in abundances (vs. H2) greater than 5 ×10−10 for CH2CHCN and 2 ×10−10 for C2H5CN with a fast warm-up time (52 kyr), while the lower limit for the observed abundance of C2H5CN toward source B3 is 3.4 ×10−10. Complex cyanide abundances are reduced at higher initial temperatures and increased at higher cosmic-ray ionization rates. Reaction-diffusion competition is necessary to reproduce observed abundances of oxygen-bearing species in our model. Conclusions. Within the context of this model, reproducing the observed abundances toward G35.20−0.74 Core B3 requires a fast warm-up at a high cosmic-ray ionization rate (~1 × 10−16 s−1) at a high gas density (>109 cm−3). The abundances observed at the other positions in G35.20-0.74N also require a fast warm-up but allow lower gas densities (~108 cm−3) and cosmic-ray ionization rates (~1 × 10−17 s−1). In general, we find that the abundance of ethyl cyanide in particular is maximized in models with a low initial temperature, a high cosmic-ray ionization rate, a long warm-up time (>200 kyr), and a lower gas density (tested down to 107 cm−3). G35.20−0.74 source B3 only needs to be ~2000 years older than B1/B2 for the observed chemical difference to be present, which maintains the possibility that G35.20−0.74 B contains a Keplerian disk.

scholarly journals The feedback of an HC HII region on its parental molecular core

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A66 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Moscadelli ◽  
V. M. Rivilla ◽  
R. Cesaroni ◽  
M. T. Beltrán ◽  
Á Sánchez-Monge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
High Mass ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Kinetic Temperature ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Level Energy ◽  
Ionized Gas ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Molecular Core ◽  
Methanol Masers

Context. G24.78+0.08 is a well known high-mass star-forming region, where several molecular cores harboring OB young stellar objects are found inside a clump of size ≈1 pc. This article focuses on the most prominent of these cores, A1, where an intense hypercompact (HC) HII region has been discovered by previous observations. Aims. Our aim is to determine the physical conditions and the kinematics of core A1, and study the interaction of the HII region with the parental molecular core. Methods. We combine ALMA 1.4 mm high-angular resolution (≈0.′′2) observations of continuum and line emission with multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Interferometry data of water 22 GHz and methanol 6.7 GHz masers. These observations allow us to study the gas kinematics on linear scales from 10 to 104 au, and to accurately map the physical conditions of the gas over core A1. Results. The 1.4 mm continuum is dominated by free-free emission from the intense HC HII region (size ≈1000 au) observed to the North of core A1 (region A1N). Analyzing the H30α line, we reveal a fast bipolar flow in the ionized gas, covering a range of LSR velocities (VLSR) of ≈60 km s−1. The amplitude of the VLSR gradient, 22 km s−1 mpc−1, is one of the highest so far observed towards HC HII regions. Water and methanol masers are distributed around the HC HII region in A1N, and the maser three-dimensional (3D) velocities clearly indicate that the ionized gas is expanding at high speed (≥200 km s−1) into the surrounding molecular gas. The temperature distribution (in the range 100–400 K) over core A1, traced with molecular (CH3OCHO, 13CH3CN, 13CH3OH, and CH3CH2CN) transitions with level energy in the range 30 K ≤ Eu/k ≤ 300 K, reflects the distribution of shocks produced by the fast-expansion of the ionized gas of the HII region. The high-energy (550 K ≤ Eu/k ≤ 800 K) transitions of vibrationally excited CH3CN are likely radiatively pumped, and their rotational temperature can significantly differ from the kinetic temperature of the gas. Over core A1, the VLSR maps from both the 1.4 mm molecular lines and the 6.7 GHz methanol masers consistently show a VLSR gradient (amplitude ≈0.3 km s−1 mpc−1) directed approximately S–N. Rather than gravitationally supported rotation of a massive toroid, we interpret this velocity gradient as a relatively slow expansion of core A1.

A golden age for maser surveys

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 219-224
Author(s):  
Shari L. Breen
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
The Subject ◽  
To Come ◽  
Star Formation Regions ◽  
Made In

AbstractMasers are becoming increasingly important probes of high-mass star formation, revealing details about the kinematics and physical conditions at the elusive, early stages of formation. Over the last decade significant investment has been made in a number of large-scale, sensitive maser surveys targeting transitions found in the vicinity of young, high-mass stars. Individually, these searches have led to valuable insights into maser populations, their associated star formation regions, and often revealed further details such as Galactic structure. In combination, they become even more powerful, especially when considered together with complementary multi-wavelength data. Another consequence of large maser surveys has been the identification of a number of especially interesting sources that have been the subject of subsequent detailed studies. I summarize the recent plethora of maser surveys, their results, and how they are contributing to our understanding of star formation. Ongoing searches will ensure a bright future of maser surveys in the decade to come.

Revealing magnetic fields towards massive protostars: a multi-scale approach using masers and dust

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (A30) ◽  
pp. 111-112
Author(s):  
Daria Dall’Olio ◽  
W. H. T. Vlemmings ◽  
M. V. Persson
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Star Formation ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Evolutionary Stage ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Filamentary Structure ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractMagnetic fields play a significant role during star formation processes, hindering the fragmentation and the collapse of the parental cloud, and affecting the accretion mechanisms and feedback phenomena. However, several questions still need to be addressed to clarify the importance of magnetic fields at the onset of high-mass star formation, such as how strong they are and at what evolutionary stage and spatial scales their action becomes relevant. Furthermore, the magnetic field parameters are still poorly constrained especially at small scales, i.e. few astronomical units from the central object, where the accretion disc and the base of the outflow are located. Thus we need to probe magnetic fields at different scales, at different evolutionary steps and possibly with different tracers. We show that the magnetic field morphology around high-mass protostars can be successfully traced at different scales by observing maser and dust polarised emission. A confirmation that they are effective tools is indeed provided by our recent results from 6.7 GHz MERLIN observations of the massive protostar IRAS 18089-1732, where we find that the small-scale magnetic field probed by methanol masers is consistent with the large-scale magnetic field probed by dust (Dall’Olio et al. 2017 A&A 607, A111). Moreover we present results obtained from our ALMA Band 7 polarisation observations of G9.62+0.20, which is a massive star-forming region with a sequence of cores at different evolutionary stages (Dall’Olio et al. submitted to A&A). In this region we resolve several protostellar cores embedded in a bright and dusty filamentary structure. The magnetic field morphology and strength in different cores is related to the evolutionary sequence of the star formation process which is occurring across the filament.

scholarly journals Investigating high-mass star formation through maser surveys

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S242) ◽  
pp. 213-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Ellingsen ◽  
M. A. Voronkov ◽  
D. M. Cragg ◽  
A. M. Sobolev ◽  
S. L. Breen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Evolutionary Sequence ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Evolutionary Phase ◽  
The Common ◽  
Methanol Masers

AbstractInterstellar masers are unique probes of the environments in which they arise. In studies of high-mass star formation their primary function has been as signposts of these regions and they have been used as probes of the kinematics and physical conditions in only a few sources. With a few notable exceptions, we know relatively little about the evolutionary phase the different maser species trace, nor their location with respect to other star formation tracers. While detailed studies of a small number of maser regions can reveal much about them, other information can only be obtained through large, systematic searches. In particular, such surveys are vital in efforts to determine an evolutionary sequence for the common maser species, and there is growing evidence that methanol masers may trace an earlier phase than the other common maser species of OH and water.

scholarly journals APEX CO observations towards the photodissociation region of RCW 120

2020 ◽  
Vol 639 ◽  
pp. A93
Author(s):  
M. Figueira ◽  
A. Zavagno ◽  
L. Bronfman ◽  
D. Russeil ◽  
R. Finger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Young Star ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Fragmentation Model ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Far Ultraviolet ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Co Observations

Context. The edges of ionized (H II) regions are important sites for the formation of (high-mass) stars. Indeed, at least 30% of the Galactic high-mass-star formation is observed there. The radiative and compressive impact of the H II region could induce star formation at the border following different mechanisms such as the collect and collapse or the radiation-driven implosion (RDI) models and change their properties. Aims. We aim to study the properties of two zones located in the photo dissociation region (PDR) of the Galactic H II region RCW 120 and discuss them as a function of the physical conditions and young star contents found in both clumps. Methods. Using the APEX telescope, we mapped two regions of size 1.5′ × 1.5′ toward the most massive clump of RCW 120 hosting young massive sources and toward a clump showing a protrusion inside the H II region and hosting more evolved low-mass sources. The 12CO (J = 3−2), 13CO (J = 3−2) and C18O (J = 3−2) lines observed, together with Herschel data, are used to derive the properties and dynamics of these clumps. We discuss their relation with the hosted star formation. Results. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, the increase of velocity dispersion and Tex are found toward the center of the maps, where star-formation is observed with Herschel. Furthermore, both regions show supersonic Mach numbers (7 and 17 in average). No substantial information has been gathered about the impact of far ultraviolet radiation on C18O photodissociation at the edges of RCW 120. The fragmentation time needed for CC to be at work is equivalent to the dynamical age of RCW 120 and the properties of region B are in agreement with bright-rimmed clouds. Conclusions. Although conclusions from this fragmentation model should be taken with caution, it strengthens the fact that, together with evidence of compression, CC might be at work at the edges of RCW 120. Additionally, the clump located at the eastern part of the PDR is a good candidate pre-existing clump where star-formation may be induced by the RDI mechanism.

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