The Carbon-to-H2, CO-to-H2 conversion factors, and carbon abundance on kiloparsec scales in nearby galaxies

ABSTRACT Using the atomic carbon [C i] ($^{3} \rm P_{1} \rightarrow {\rm ^3 P}_{0}$) and [C i] ($^{3} \rm P_{2} \rightarrow {\rm ^3 P}_{1}$) emission {hereafter [C i] (1 − 0) and [C i] (2 − 1), respectively} maps observed with the Herschel Space Observatory, and CO (1 − 0), H i, infrared and submm maps from literatures, we estimate the [C i]-to-H2 and CO-to-H2 conversion factors of α[C i](1 − 0), α[C i](2 − 1), and αCO at a linear resolution $\sim 1\,$kpc scale for six nearby galaxies of M 51, M 83, NGC 3627, NGC 4736, NGC 5055, and NGC 6946. This is perhaps the first effort, to our knowledge, in calibrating both [C i]-to-H2 conversion factors across the spiral disks at spatially resolved $\sim 1\,$kpc scale though such studies have been discussed globally in galaxies near and far. In order to derive the conversion factors and achieve these calibrations, we adopt three different dust-to-gas ratio (DGR) assumptions that scale approximately with metallicity taken from precursory results. We find that for all DGR assumptions, the α[C i](1 − 0), α[C i](2 − 1), and αCO are mostly flat with galactocentric radii, whereas both α[C i](2 − 1) and αCO show decrease in the inner regions of galaxies. And the central αCO and α[C i](2 − 1) values are on average ∼2.2 and 1.8 times lower than its galaxy averages. The obtained carbon abundances from different DGR assumptions show flat profiles with galactocentric radii, and the average carbon abundance of the galaxies is comparable to the usually adopted value of 3 × 10−5. We find that both metallicity and infrared luminosity correlate moderately with the αCO, whereas only weakly with either the α[C i](1 − 0) or carbon abundance, and not at all with the α[C i](2 − 1).

Eta carinae and the homunculus: far infrared/submillimetre spectral lines detected with the Herschel Space Observatory

ABSTRACT The evolved massive binary star η Carinae underwent eruptive mass-loss events that formed the complex bi-polar ‘Homunculus’ nebula harbouring tens of solar masses of unusually nitrogen-rich gas and dust. Despite expectations for the presence of a significant molecular component to the gas, detections have been observationally challenged by limited access to the far-infrared and the intense thermal continuum. A spectral survey of the atomic and rotational molecular transitions was carried out with the Herschel Space Observatory, revealing a rich spectrum of broad emission lines originating in the ejecta. Velocity profiles of selected PACS lines correlate well with known substructures: H i in the central core; NH and weak [C ii] within the Homunculus; and [N ii] emissions in fast-moving structures external to the Homunculus. We have identified transitions from [O i], H i, and 18 separate light C- and O-bearing molecules including CO, CH, CH+, and OH, and a wide set of N-bearing molecules: NH, NH+, N2H+, NH2, NH3, HCN, HNC, CN, and N2H+. Half of these are new detections unprecedented for any early-type massive star environment. A very low ratio [12C/13C] ≤ 4 is estimated from five molecules and their isotopologues. We demonstrate that non-LTE effects due to the strong continuum are significant. Abundance patterns are consistent with line formation in regions of carbon and oxygen depletions with nitrogen enhancements, reflecting an evolved state of the erupting star with efficient transport of CNO-processed material to the outer layers. The results offer many opportunities for further observational and theoretical investigations of the molecular chemistry under extreme physical and chemical conditions around massive stars in their final stages of evolution.

Herschel Planetary Nebula Survey Plus (HerPlaNS+)

We present the current status update of the Herschel Planetary Nebula Survey Plus project (HerPlaNS+) based on the original General Observer HerPlaNS survey program during the OT1 cycle and the follow-up exhaustive archival search of PN observations using the PACS and SPIRE instruments on-board the Herschel Space Observatory.