ALMA Imaging of a Galactic Molecular Outflow in NGC 4945

We present the ALMA detection of molecular outflowing gas in the central regions of NGC 4945, one of the nearest starbursts and also one of the nearest hosts of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). We detect four outflow plumes in CO J = 3 − 2 at ∼0.″3 resolution that appear to correspond to molecular gas located near the edges of the known ionized outflow cone and its (unobserved) counterpart behind the disk. The fastest and brightest of these plumes has emission reaching observed line-of-sight projected velocities of over 450 km s−1 beyond systemic, equivalent to an estimated physical outflow velocity v ≳ 600 km s−1 for the fastest emission. Most of these plumes have corresponding emission in HCN or HCO+ J = 4 − 3. We discuss a kinematic model for the outflow emission where the molecular gas has the geometry of the ionized gas cone and shares the rotation velocity of the galaxy when ejected. We use this model to explain the velocities we observe, constrain the physical speed of the ejected material, and account for the fraction of outflowing gas that is not detected due to confusion with the galaxy disk. We estimate a total molecular mass outflow rate M ̇ mol ∼ 20 M ⊙ yr−1 flowing through a surface within 100 pc of the disk midplane, likely driven by a combination of the central starburst and AGN.

Massive Molecular Outflow and 100 kpc Extended Cold Halo Gas in the Enormous Lyα Nebula of QSO 1228+3128

The link between the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and the stellar growth of massive galaxies at high-z depends on the properties of the widespread cold molecular gas. As part of the SUPERCOLD-CGM survey (Survey of Protocluster ELANe Revealing CO/[C i] in the Lyα-Detected CGM), we present the radio-loud QSO Q1228+3128 at z = 2.2218, which is embedded in an enormous Lyα nebula. ALMA+ACA observations of CO(4–3) reveal both a massive molecular outflow, and a more extended molecular gas reservoir across ∼100 kpc in the CGM, each containing a mass of M H2 ∼ 4–5 × 1010 M ⊙. The outflow and molecular CGM are aligned spatially, along the direction of an inner radio jet. After reanalysis of Lyα data of Q1228+3128 from the Keck Cosmic Web Imager, we found that the velocity of the extended CO agrees with the redshift derived from the Lyα nebula and the bulk velocity of the massive outflow. We propose a scenario where the radio source in Q1228+3128 is driving the molecular outflow and perhaps also enriching or cooling the CGM. In addition, we found that the extended CO emission is nearly perpendicular to the extended Lyα nebula spatially, indicating that the two gas phases are not well mixed, and possibly even represent different phenomena (e.g., outflow versus infall). Our results provide crucial evidence in support of predicted baryonic recycling processes that drive the early evolution of massive galaxies.

Discovery of a Highly Collimated Flow from the High-mass Protostar ISOSS J23053+5953 SMM2

We present Very Large Array C-, X-, and Q-band continuum observations, as well as 1.3 mm continuum and CO(2-1) observations with the Submillimeter Array toward the high-mass protostellar candidate ISOSS J23053+5953 SMM2. Compact centimeter continuum emission was detected near the center of the SMM2 core with a spectral index of 0.24(± 0.15) between 6 and 3.6 cm, and a radio luminosity of 1.3(±0.4) mJy kpc2. The 1.3 mm thermal dust emission indicates a mass of the SMM2 core of 45.8 (±13.4) M ⊙, and a density of 7.1 (±1.2)× 106 cm−3. The CO(2-1) observations reveal a large, massive molecular outflow centered on the SMM2 core. This fast outflow (>50 km s−1 from the cloud systemic velocity) is highly collimated, with a broader, lower-velocity component. The large values for outflow mass (45.2 ± 12.6 M ⊙) and momentum rate (6 ± 2 × 10−3 M ⊙ km s−1yr−1) derived from the CO emission are consistent with those of flows driven by high-mass YSOs. The dynamical timescale of the flow is between 1.5 and 7.2 × 104 yr. We also found from the C18O to thermal dust emission ratio that CO is depleted by a factor of about 20, possibly due to freeze-out of CO molecules on dust grains. Our data are consistent with previous findings that ISOSS J23053 + 5953 SMM2 is an emerging high-mass protostar in an early phase of evolution, with an ionized jet and a fast, highly collimated, and massive outflow.

Carbon-chain molecule survey toward four low-mass molecular outflow sources

We performed a carbon-chain molecule (CCM) survey toward four low-mass outflow sources, IRAS 04181+2655 (I04181), HH211, L1524, and L1598, using the 13.7 m telescope at the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) and the 65 m Tian Ma Radio telescope at the Shanghai Observatory. We observed the following hydrocarbons (C2H, C4H, c–C3H2), HC2n+1N (n = 1, 2), CnS (n = 2, 3), and SO, HNC, N2H+. Hydrocarbons and HC3N were detected in all the sources, except for L1598, which had a marginal detection of C4H and a non-detection of HC3N (J = 2–1). HC5N and CCCS were only detected in I04181 and L1524, whereas SO was only detected in HH211. L1598 exhibits the lowest detection rate of CCMs and is generally regarded to be lacking in CCMs source. The ratio of N(HC3N/N(N2H+)) increases with evolution in low-mass star-forming cores. I04181 and L1524 are carbon-chain-rich star-forming cores that may possibly be characterized by warm carbon-chain chemistry. In I04181 and L1524, the abundant CCCS can be explained by shocked carbon-chain chemistry. In HH211, the abundant SO suggests that SO is formed by sublimated S+. In this study, we also mapped HNC, C4H, c–C3H2, and HC3N with data from the PMO. We also find that HNC and NH3 are concentrated in L1524S and L1524N, respectively. Furthermore, we discuss the chemical differences between I04181SE and I04181W. The co-evolution between linear hydrocarbon and cyanopolyynes can be seen in I04181SE.

WISDOM project – VIII. Multiscale feedback cycles in the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 0708

ABSTRACT We present high-resolution (synthesized beam size 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$088 × 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$083 or 25 × 23 pc2) Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array 12CO(2–1) line and 236 GHz continuum observations, as well as 5 GHz enhanced Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) continuum observations, of NGC 0708; the brightest galaxy in the low-mass galaxy cluster Abell 262. The line observations reveal a turbulent, rotating disc of molecular gas in the core of the galaxy, and a high-velocity, blueshifted feature ≈0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$4 (≈113 pc) from its centre. The submillimetre continuum emission peaks at the nucleus, but extends towards this anomalous CO emission feature. No corresponding elongation is found on the same spatial scales at 5 GHz with e-MERLIN. We discuss potential causes for the anomalous blueshifted emission detected in this source, and conclude that it is most likely to be a low-mass in-falling filament of material condensing from the hot intracluster medium via chaotic cold accretion, but it is also possible that it is a jet-driven molecular outflow. We estimate the physical properties this structure has in these two scenarios, and show that either explanation is viable. We suggest future observations with integral field spectrographs will be able to determine the true cause of this anomalous emission, and provide further evidence for interaction between quenched cooling flows and mechanical feedback on both small and large scales in this source.

Complex structure of a proto-brown dwarf

We present ALMA 12CO (2-1), 13CO (2-1), C18O (2-1) molecular line observations of a very young proto-brown dwarf system, ISO-OPH 200. We have conducted physical+chemical modelling of the complex internal structure for this system using the core collapse simulations for brown dwarf formation. The model at an age of ∼6000 yr can provide a good fit to the observed kinematics, spectra, and reproduce the complex structures seen in the moment maps. Results from modelling indicate that 12CO emission is tracing an extended (∼1000 au) molecular outflow and a bright shock knot, 13CO is tracing the outer (∼1000 au) envelope/pseudo-disc, and C18O is tracing the inner (∼500 au) pseudo-disc. The source size of ∼8.6 au measured in the 873μm image is comparable to the inner Keplerian disc size predicted by the model. A 3D model structure of ISO-OPH 200 suggests that this system is viewed partially through a wide outflow cavity resulting in a direct view of the outflow and a partial view of the envelope/pseudo-disc. We have argued that ISO-OPH 200 has been mis-classified as a Class Flat object due to the unusual orientation. The various signatures of this system, notably, the young ∼616 yr outflow dynamical age and high outflow rate (∼1 × 10−7 M⊙ yr−1), silicate absorption in the 10$\rm{\mu m}$ mid-infrared spectrum, pristine ISM-like dust in the envelope/disc, comparable sizes of the extended envelope and outflow, indicate that ISO-OPH 200 is an early Class 0 stage system formed in a star-like mechanism via gravitational collapse of a very low-mass core.

AGN-driven galactic outflows: comparing models to observations

ABSTRACT The actual mechanism(s) powering galactic outflows in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is still a matter of debate. At least two physical models have been considered in the literature: wind shocks and radiation pressure on dust. Here, we provide a first quantitative comparison of the AGN radiative feedback scenario with observations of galactic outflows. We directly compare our radiation pressure-driven shell models with the observational data from the most recent compilation of molecular outflows on galactic scales. We show that the observed dynamics and energetics of galactic outflows can be reproduced by AGN radiative feedback, with the inclusion of radiation trapping and/or luminosity evolution. The predicted scalings of the outflow energetics with AGN luminosity can also quantitatively account for the observational scaling relations. Furthermore, sources with both ultrafast and molecular outflow detections are found to be located in the ‘forbidden’ region of the NH–λ plane. Overall, an encouraging agreement is obtained over a wide range of AGN and host galaxy parameters. We discuss our results in the context of recent observational findings and numerical simulations. In conclusion, AGN radiative feedback is a promising mechanism for driving galactic outflows that should be considered, alongside wind feedback, in the interpretation of future observational data.

VLA ammonia observations of L1287

Aims. In this paper, we study the dense gas of the molecular cloud LDN 1287 (L1287), which harbors a double FU Ori system, an energetic molecular outflow, and a still-forming cluster of deeply embedded low-mass young stellar objects that show a high level of fragmentation. Methods. We present optical Hα and [SII], and VLA NH3 (1, 1) and (2, 2) observations with an angular resolution of ~3′′.5. The observed NH3 spectra have been analyzed with the Hyperfine Structure tool, fitting simultaneously three different velocity components. Results. The NH3 emission from L1287 comes from four different structures: a core associated with RNO 1, a guitar-shaped core (the Guitar) and two interlaced filaments (the blue and red filaments) roughly centered toward the binary FU Ori system RNO 1B/1C and its associated cluster. Regarding the Guitar core, there are clear signatures of gas infall onto a central mass that has been estimated to be ~2.1M⊙. Regarding the two filaments, they have radii of ~0.03 pc, masses per unit length of ~50M⊙ pc−1, and are in near isothermal equilibrium. A central cavity is identified, probably related with the outflow and also revealed by the Hα and [SII] emission, with several young stellar objects near its inner walls. Both filaments show clear signs of perturbation by the high-velocity gas of the outflows driven by one or several young stellar objects of the cluster. The blue and red filaments are coherent in velocity and have nearly subsonic gas motions, except at the position of the embedded sources. Velocity gradients across the blue filament can be interpreted either as infalling material onto the filament or rotation. Velocity gradients along the filaments are interpreted as infall motions toward a gravitational well at the intersection of the two filaments.

Evidence of galaxy interaction in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 17020+4544 seen by NOEMA

ABSTRACT The narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 17020+4544 is one of the few sources where both an X-ray ultrafast outflow and a molecular outflow were observed to be consistent with energy conservation. However, IRAS 17020+4544 is less massive and has a much more modest active galactic nucleus (AGN) luminosity than the other examples. Using recent CO(1–0) observations with the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array, we characterized the molecular gas content of the host galaxy for the first time. We found that the molecular gas is distributed into an apparent central disc of 1.1 × 109 M⊙, and a northern extension located up to 8 kpc from the centre with a molecular gas mass $M_{\mathrm{ H}_2}\sim 10^8\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$. The molecular gas mass and the CO dynamics in the northern extension reveal that IRAS 17020+4544 is not a standard spiral galaxy, instead it is interacting with a dwarf object corresponding to the northern extension. This interaction possibly triggers the high accretion rate on to the supermassive black hole. Within the main galaxy, which hosts the AGN, a simple analytical model predicts that the molecular gas may lie in a ring, with less molecular gas in the nuclear region. Such distribution may be the result of the AGN activity that removes or photodissociates the molecular gas in the nuclear region (AGN feedback). Finally, we have detected a molecular outflow of mass $M_{\mathrm{ H}_2}=(0.7\!-\!1.2)\times 10^7\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$ in projection at the location of the northern galaxy, with a similar velocity to that of the massive outflow reported in previous millimetre data obtained by the Large Millimeter Telescope.