scholarly journals The excitation of OH by H2 revisited – II. Hyperfine resolved rate coefficients

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 3491-3495 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kłos ◽  
P J Dagdigian ◽  
M H Alexander ◽  
A Faure ◽  
F Lique
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Emission Spectra ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
State Rate ◽  
Collisional Rate Coefficients ◽  
Collisional Rate

ABSTRACT Observations of hyperfine resolved transitions of the hydroxyl radical (OH) are unique probes of the physical conditions in molecular clouds. In particular, hyperfine intensities can be used as an effective thermometer over a wide range of molecular densities. Accurate modelling of the OH emission spectra requires the calculation of collisional rate coefficients for the excitation of OH by H2, the most abundant collisional partner in the molecular clouds. Here, we determine hyperfine resolved rate coefficients for the excitation of OH by H2 using a recently developed highly accurate potential energy surface. State-to-state rate coefficients between the lower hyperfine levels were calculated using recoupling techniques for temperature ranging from 10 to 150 K. Significant differences were found with the earlier values currently used in astrophysical models, the new rate coefficients being larger than the previous ones. Finally, we compute the excitation of the OH radical in cold molecular clouds and star-forming regions. The new rate coefficients were found to increase the hyperfine intensities by a factor of ∼1–2. Consequently, we recommend using this new set of data in any astrophysical model of OH excitation.

scholarly journals Constraining How Star Formation Proceeds: Surveys in the Sub-mm and FIR

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 406-407
Author(s):  
Doug Johnstone
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
High Column

AbstractCoordinated multi-wavelength surveys of molecular clouds are providing strong constraints on the physical conditions within low-mass star-forming regions. In this manner, Perseus and Ophiuchus have been exceptional laboratories for testing the earliest phases of star formation. Highlights of these results are: (1) dense cores form only in high column density regions, (2) dense cores contain only a few percent of the cloud mass, (3) the mass distribution of the dense cores is similar to the IMF, (4) the more massive cores are most likely to contain embedded protostars, and (5) the kinematics of the dense cores and the bulk gas show significant coupling.

Deuterated as a probe of isotope fractionation in star-forming regions

2006 ◽  
Vol 364 (1848) ◽  
pp. 3063-3080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Roberts ◽  
T.J Millar
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Isotope Fractionation ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Ionization Fraction ◽  
Last Stage

Observations of molecular D/H ratios in the interstellar medium are used to probe the physical conditions, such as temperature, ionization fraction and the importance of gas–grain reactions. In cold, dense regions, such as cores which are collapsing to form stars, the level of deuterium fractionation depends on the conversion of into its deuterated isotopologues (H 2 D + , D 2 H + and ). The relative abundances of these molecules uniquely probe the centres of these cores where other, heavier, species have frozen onto dust grains. We present models of the deuterium chemistry close to the centre of a pre-stellar core, in the last stage before the star forms, showing the dependence of the observable molecular D/H ratios on the physical parameters and rate coefficients that are assumed. We compare model predictions with the latest observations of these regions.

scholarly journals The excitation of NH2 in the interstellar medium

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 2178-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Bouhafs ◽  
A Bacmann ◽  
A Faure ◽  
F Lique
Keyword(s):  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Close Coupling ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Present Rate ◽  
Collisional Rate Coefficients

ABSTRACT Accurate estimation of the abundance of the NH2 radical in the interstellar medium requires accurate radiative and collisional rate coefficients. The calculation of hyperfine-resolved rate coefficients for the collisional (de-)excitation of NH2 by both ortho- and para-H2 is presented in this work. Hyperfine-resolved rate coefficients are calculated from pure rotational close-coupling rate coefficients using the Mj randomizing approximation. Rate coefficients for temperatures ranging from 5 to 150 K were computed for all hyperfine transitions among the first 15 rotational energy levels of both ortho- and para-NH2 in collisions with ortho- and para-H2. The new data were then employed in radiative transfer calculations to simulate the excitation of NH2 in typical star-forming regions such as W31C, where NH2 is seen in emission. We compared the excitation and brightness temperatures for different NH2 transitions obtained using the new and the previously available collisional data. It is found that the new rate coefficients increase the simulated line intensities by a factor ∼10–30. As a consequence, NH2 abundance derived from the observations will be significantly reduced by the use of the present rate coefficients.

scholarly journals NGC628 with SITELLE: I. Imaging spectroscopy of 4285 H ii region candidates

2018 ◽  
Vol 477 (3) ◽  
pp. 4152-4186 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Rousseau-Nepton ◽  
C Robert ◽  
R P Martin ◽  
L Drissen ◽  
T Martin
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Spectroscopy ◽  
Morphological Type ◽  
H Ii Regions ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nearby Galaxies ◽  
H Ii Region ◽  
The Individual

Abstract This is the first paper of a series dedicated to nebular physics and the chemical evolution of nearby galaxies by investigating large samples of H ii regions with the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope imaging spectrograph SITELLE (Spectro-Imageur à Transformée de Fourier pour l’Étude en Long et en Large des raies d’Émission). We present a technique adapted to imaging spectroscopy to identify and extract parameters from 4285 H ii region candidates found in the disc of NGC 628. Using both the spatial and spectral capabilities of SITELLE, our technique enables the extraction of the position, dust extinction, velocity, H α profile, diffuse ionized gas (DIG) background, luminosity, size, morphological type, and the emission-line fluxes for individual spaxels and the integrated spectrum for each region. We have produced a well-sampled H ii region luminosity function and studied its variation with galactocentric radius and level of the DIG background. We found a slope α of −1.12 ± 0.03 with no evidence of a break at high luminosity. Based on the width of the region profile, bright regions are rather compact, while faint regions are seen over a wide range of sizes. The radius function reveals a slope of −1.81 ± 0.02. BPT diagrams of the individual spaxels and integrated line ratios confirm that most detections are H ii regions. Also, maps of the line ratios show complex variations of the ionization conditions within H ii regions. All this information is compiled in a new catalogue for H ii regions. The objective of this data base is to provide a complete sample which will be used to study the whole parameter space covered by the physical conditions in active star-forming regions.

scholarly journals Deuterium fractionation in low-mass star-forming regions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Punanova ◽  
◽  
I. V. Petrashkevich ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Low Mass

In this work, we study how deuterium fraction changes depending on the physical conditions in cold cores embedded in the molecular clouds of Taurus, Perseus and Ophiuchus. The results show that the deuterium fraction in cold cores varies in different star-forming regions. In the densest and most turbulent of the studied regions, L1688 in Ophiuchus, the deuterium fraction is two times higher than that of L1495 in Taurus and B5 in Perseus. In L1495 and L1688, the deuterium fraction in the central parts of the cores and in their envelopes differ by a factor of 10, while in B5 only by a factor of 2—3.

AMBIPOLAR DIFFUSION AND TURBULENT MAGNETIC FIELDS IN MOLECULAR CLOUDS

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (04) ◽  
pp. 235-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN HOUDE ◽  
TALAYEH HEZAREH ◽  
HUA-BAI LI ◽  
THOMAS G. PHILLIPS
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Ambipolar Diffusion ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Spin Interactions ◽  
Line Narrowing ◽  
Weakly Ionized ◽  
Novel Method

We review the introduction and development of a novel method for the characterization of magnetic fields in star-forming regions. The technique is based on the comparison of spectral line profiles from coexistent neutral and ion molecular species commonly detected in molecular clouds, sites of star formation. Unlike other methods used to study magnetic fields in the cold interstellar medium, this ion/neutral technique is not based on spin interactions with the field. Instead, it relies on and takes advantage of the strong cyclotron coupling between the ions and magnetic fields, thus exposing what is probably the clearest observational manifestation of magnetic fields in the cold, weakly ionized gas that characterizes the interior of molecular clouds. We will show how recent development and modeling of the ensuing ion line narrowing effect leads to a determination of the ambipolar diffusion scale involving the turbulent component of magnetic fields in star-forming regions, as well as the strength of the ordered component of the magnetic field.

scholarly journals Millimetre wavelength methanol masers survey towards massive star forming regions

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S242) ◽  
pp. 234-235
Author(s):  
T. Umemoto ◽  
N. Mochizuki ◽  
K. M. Shibata ◽  
D.-G. Roh ◽  
H.-S. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Detection Rate ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Molecular Line ◽  
Maser Emission ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Methanol Maser ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Methanol Masers ◽  
Maser Sources

AbstractWe present the results of a mm wavelength methanol maser survey towards massive star forming regions. We have carried out Class II methanol maser observations at 86.6 GHz, 86.9 GHz and 107.0 GHz, simultaneously, using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. We selected 108 6.7 GHz methanol maser sources with declinations above −25 degrees and fluxes above 20 Jy. The detection limit of maser observations was ~3 Jy. Of the 93 sources surveyed so far, we detected methanol emission in 25 sources (27%) and “maser” emission in nine sources (10%), of which thre “maser” sources are new detections. The detection rate for maser emission is about half that of a survey of the southern sky (Caswell et al. 2000). There is a correlation between the maser flux of 107 GHz and 6.7 GHz/12 GHz emission, but no correlation with the “thermal” (non maser) emission. From results of other molecular line observations, we found that the sources with methanol emission show higher gas temperatures and twice the detection rate of SiO emission. This may suggest that dust evaporation and destruction by shock are responsible for the high abundance of methanol molecules, one of the required physical conditions for maser emission.

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