scholarly journals Protostellar Outflows at the EarliesT Stages (POETS)

2020 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. A118
Author(s):  
L. Moscadelli ◽  
A. Sanna ◽  
C. Goddi ◽  
V. Krishnan ◽  
F. Massi ◽  
...  

Context. 22 GHz water masers are the most intense and widespread masers in star-forming regions. They are commonly associated with protostellar winds and jets emerging from low- and high-mass young stellar objects (YSO). Aims. We wish to perform for the first time a statistical study of the location and motion of individual water maser cloudlets, characterized by typical sizes that are within a few au, with respect to the weak radio thermal emission from YSOs. Methods. For this purpose, we have been carrying out the Protostellar Outflows at the EarliesT Stages survey of a sample (38) of high-mass YSOs. The 22 GHz water maser positions and three-dimensional (3D) velocities were determined through multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Array observations with accuracies of a few milliarcsec (mas) and a few km s−1, respectively. The position of the ionized core of the protostellar wind, marking the YSO, was determined through sensitive radio continuum, multi-frequency Jansky Very Large Array observations with a typical error of ≈20 mas. Results. The statistic of the separation of the water masers from the radio continuum shows that 84% of the masers are found within 1000 au from the YSO and 45% of them are within 200 au. Therefore, we can conclude that the 22 GHz water masers are a reliable proxy for locating the position of the YSO. The distribution of maser luminosity is strongly peaked towards low values, indicating that about half of the maser population is still undetected with the current Very Long Baseline Interferometry detection thresholds of 50–100 mJy beam−1. Next-generation, sensitive (at the nJy level) radio interferometers will have the capability to exploit these weak masers for an improved sampling of the velocity and magnetic fields around the YSOs. The average direction of the water maser proper motions provides a statistically-significant estimate for the orientation of the jet emitted by the YSO: 55% of the maser proper motions are directed on the sky within an angle of 30° from the jet axis. Finally, we show that our measurements of 3D maser velocities statistically support models in which water maser emission arises from planar shocks with propagation direction close to the plane of the sky.

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A74 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Moscadelli ◽  
A. Sanna ◽  
C. Goddi ◽  
V. Krishnan ◽  
F. Massi ◽  
...  

Context. Although recent observations and theoretical simulations have pointed out that accretion disks and jets can be essential for the formation of stars with a mass of up to at least 20 M⊙, the processes regulating mass accretion and ejection are still uncertain. Aims. The goal of the Protostellar Outflows at the EarliesT Stages (POETS) survey is to image the disk-outflow interface on scales of 10–100 au in a statistically significant sample (36) of luminous young stellar objects (YSO), targeting both the molecular and ionized components of the outflows. Methods. The outflow kinematics is studied at milliarcsecond scales through very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the 22 GHz water masers, which are ideal test particles to measure the three-dimensional (3D) motion of shocks owing to the interaction of winds and jets with ambient gas. We employed the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 6, 13, and 22 GHz in the A- and B-Array configurations to determine the spatial structure and the spectral index of the radio continuum emission, and address its nature. Results. In about half of the targets, the water masers observed at separation ≤1000 au from the YSOs trace either or both of these kinematic structures: (1) a spatially elongated distribution oriented at close angle with the direction of collimation of the maser proper motions (PM), and (2) a linear local standard of rest (LSR) velocity (VLSR) gradient across the YSO position. The kinematic structure (1) is readily interpreted in terms of a protostellar jet, as confirmed in some targets via the comparison with independent observations of the YSO jets, in thermal (continuum and line) emissions, reported in the literature. The kinematic structure (2) is interpreted in terms of a disk-wind (DW) seen almost edge-on on the basis of several pieces of evidence: first, it is invariably directed perpendicular to the YSO jet; second, it agrees in orientation and polarity with the VLSR gradient in thermal emissions (when reported in the literature) identifying the YSO disk at scales of ≤1000 au; third, the PMs of the masers delineating the VLSR gradients hint at flow motions at a speed of 10–20 km s−1 directed at large angles with the disk midplane. In the remaining targets, the maser PMs are not collimated but rather tend to align along two almost perpendicular directions. To explain this peculiar PM distribution, and in light of the observational bias strongly favoring masers moving close to the plane of sky, we propose that, in these sources, the maser emission could originate in DW-jet systems slightly inclined (≤30°) with respect to edge-on. Magneto-centrifugally driven DWs could in general account for the observed velocity patterns of water masers.


2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S242) ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
M. A. Trinidad ◽  
S. Curiel ◽  
J. M. Torrelles ◽  
L. F. Rodríguez ◽  
V. Migenes ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present simultaneous observations of continuum (3.5 and 1.3cm) and water maser line emission (1.3cm) carried out with the VLA-A toward the high-mass object IRAS 23139+5939. We detected two radio continuum sources at 3.5cm separated by 0”5 (~2400 AU), I23139 and I23139S. Based on the observed continuum flux density and the spectral index, we suggest that I23139 is a thermal radio jet associated with a high-mass YSO. On the other hand, based on the spatio-kinematical distribution of the water masers, together with the continuum emission information, we speculate that I23139S is also a jet source powering some of the masers detected in the region.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 226-226
Author(s):  
Andreas Brunthaler

AbstractAccurate geometric distances, which are inherently free of systematic effects are of very great importance for an independent recalibration of extragalactic distance estimators. Local Group galaxies are close enough for both primary and secondary distance indicators to be readily isolated in ground- and space-based observations. Astrometric accuracies of a few micro-arcseconds based on Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of water masers in high-mass star-forming regions in nearby galaxies allow a measurement of the proper motions of these masers. Since these high-mass star-forming regions rotate with the galaxies, one can deduce a rotational parallax by comparing the known rotation curve with the proper motions of the masers. I provide an update of our previous rotation parallax of M33 and show first results of observations of the recently discovered water masers in the Andromeda galaxy (M31).


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 303-304
Author(s):  
Jungha Kim ◽  
Tomoya Hirota ◽  
Kee-Tae Kim ◽  
Koichiro Sugiyama ◽  

AbstractWe have started survey observations of the 22 GHz water maser sources associated with high-mass young stellar objects (HM-YSOs) as a part of the KaVA (KVN and VERA Array) large program (LP). The aim of our LP is to understand dynamical evolution of jets/outflows from HM-YSOs by analyzing 3D velocity structures of water maser features. In the first year (2016-2017), an imaging survey toward 25 HM-YSOs has been conducted and the 22 GHz water masers are detected toward 21 sources. Spatial distributions of maser features for individual sources are mapped. To complement physical properties in the vicinity of HM-YSOs, we have carried out ALMA cycle 3 observations of thermal molecular lines and continuum emissions toward 11 selected samples. Summary of the KaVA first year observations and the initial results from the ALMA toward one of our targets, G25.82-0.17, are reported.


1997 ◽  
Vol 182 ◽  
pp. 515-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J Claussen ◽  
Kevin B. Marvel ◽  
H. Alwyn Wootten ◽  
Bruce A. Wilking

A review of the importance of water maser observations toward young stellar objects (YSOs) is presented. Also, we present recent, differing types of observations of water masers near YSOs. Single antenna observations, taken regularly, characterize the variability of the masers and allow estimates of time and spatial scales. High resolution (∼ 1 mas) multi-epoch observations allow proper motions to be studied. Detailed analysis of such proper motions will allow the placement of the masers in the circumstellar (a disk) or near-stellar environment at the base of the outflow. Radio interferometric techniques are the best method of making estimates of the kinematics of the gas in these regions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 334-335
Author(s):  
V. Krishnan ◽  
L. Moscadelli ◽  
S. P. Ellingsen ◽  
H. E. Bignall ◽  
S. L. Breen ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present multi–epoch VLBI observations of the methanol and water masers in the high–mass star formation region G 339.884−1.259, made using the Australian Long Baseline Array (LBA). Our sub–milliarcsecond precision measurements trace the proper motions of individual maser features in the plane of the sky. When combined with the direct line–of–sight radial velocity (vlsr), these measure the 3 D gas kinematics of the associated high–mass star formation region, allowing us to probe the dynamical processes to within 1000 AU of the core.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 297-298
Author(s):  
Jeong-Sook Kim ◽  
Soon-Wook Kim

AbstractCepheus A is the second nearest high mass star-forming region after Orion. It is characterized by the presence of several phenomena, such as a complex molecular outflow, and multiple radio continuum sources, known as HW sources. The radio continuum and water maser emission have been detected toward HW2, HW3b and HW3d regions, and all of them are considered harboring young stellar objects. In 2014, we performed KaVA observations and detected a new bright maser feature, ~700 mas apart from HW3d, which has not been detected with previous VLBI observations. The relative proper motion of the new maser feature is faster than other regions. It can be a clue for a newly forming star. Alternatively, it may be caused by outflow shock from the star-forming regions such as HW3d or HW3c.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 315-316
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Trinidad ◽  
Tatiana Rodríguez-Esnard ◽  
Josep M. Masqué

AbstractWe present radio continuum and water maser observations toward the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 23151+5912 from the VLA and VLBA archive, respectively. We detected a continuum source, which seems to be a hypercompact HII region. In addition, a water maser group about 4″ south from the continuum source was detected. We present preliminary results of the analysis of three observations epochs of the water masers, which are tracing an arc-like structure. However, its kinematics is quite complex, since while one section of the structure seems to be moving away from one center, another section seems to be approaching.


2019 ◽  
Vol 629 ◽  
pp. A25 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Castangia ◽  
G. Surcis ◽  
A. Tarchi ◽  
A. Caccianiga ◽  
P. Severgnini ◽  
...  

Aims. Investigations of H2O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most active galactic nuclei (AGN) associated with water masers are characterized by high levels of absorption. With the aim of finding new maser sources for possible interferometric follow-ups, we have searched for water maser emission in a well-defined sample of heavily absorbed AGN (NH >  1023 cm−2), including Compton-thick (CT) sources. Methods. Previous surveys already searched for 22 GHz water maser emission in all the galaxies in this sample. With the goal of providing a detection or a stringent upper limit on the H2O luminosity, we reobserved some of the non-detected sources with the Green Bank Telescope. A new luminous H2O maser (LH2O ∼ 200 L⊙) was detected in the mid-IR-bright Seyfert 2 galaxy IRAS 15480−0344 and then followed-up with the Very Long Baseline Array. In order to shed light on the origin of the maser (jet, outflow, or disk), we recently observed the radio continuum emission in IRAS 15480-0344 with the European VLBI network (EVN) at 1.7 and 5.0 GHz. Results. With the newly discovered megamaser in IRAS 15480−0344 revealing a narrow (∼0.6 km s−1) and a broad (∼90 km s−1) component, the maser detection rate of the CT AGN sample is 50% (18/36), which is one of the highest ever found in maser surveys. The EVN maps show two bright sources (labeled SW and NE) in the nuclear region of IRAS 15480−0344, which we interpret as jet knots tracing regions where the radio plasma impacts dense molecular clouds. The narrow maser feature is approximately at the center of the imaginary line connecting the two continuum sources, likely pinpointing the core, and might be associated with the accretion disk or a nuclear outflow. The location of the broad maser feature, instead, coincides with source NE, suggesting that the maser emission might be produced by a jet-cloud interaction, as it was proposed for NGC 1068 and Mrk 348.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S336) ◽  
pp. 377-380
Author(s):  
José F. Gómez ◽  
Luis F. Miranda ◽  
Lucero Uscanga ◽  
Olga Suárez

AbstractOnly five planetary nebulae (PNe) have been confirmed to emit water masers. They seem to be very young PNe. The water emission in these objects preferentially traces circumstellar toroids, although in K 3-35 and IRAS 15103-5754, it may also trace collimated jets. We present water maser observations of these two sources at different epochs. The water maser distribution changes on timescales of months to a few years. We speculate that these changes may be due to the variation of the underlying radio continuum emission, which is amplified by the maser process in the foreground material.


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