arXiv subjects

A. I. Gómez-Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to A. I. Gómez-Ruiz.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Ordered magnetic fields around the 3C 84 central black hole

3C84 is a nearby radio source with a complex total intensity structure, showing linear polarisation and spectral patterns. A detailed investigation of the central engine region necessitates the use of VLBI above the hitherto available maximum frequency of 86GHz. Using ultrahigh resolution VLBI observations at the highest available frequency of 228GHz, we aim to directly detect compact structures and understand the physical conditions in the compact region of 3C84. We used EHT 228GHz observations and, given the limited (u,v)-coverage, applied geometric model fitting to the data. We also employed quasi-simultaneously observed, multi-frequency VLBI data for the source in order to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the core structure. We report the detection of a highly ordered, strong magnetic field around the central, SMBH of 3C84. The brightness temperature analysis suggests that the system is in equipartition. We determined a turnover frequency of $ν_m=(113\pm4)$GHz, a corresponding synchrotron self-absorbed magnetic field of $B_{SSA}=(2.9\pm1.6)$G, and an equipartition magnetic field of $B_{eq}=(5.2\pm0.6)$G. Three components are resolved with the highest fractional polarisation detected for this object ($m_\textrm{net}=(17.0\pm3.9)$%). The positions of the components are compatible with those seen in low-frequency VLBI observations since 2017-2018. We report a steeply negative slope of the spectrum at 228GHz. We used these findings to test models of jet formation, propagation, and Faraday rotation in 3C84. The findings of our investigation into different flow geometries and black hole spins support an advection-dominated accretion flow in a magnetically arrested state around a rapidly rotating supermassive black hole as a model of the jet-launching system in the core of 3C84. However, systematic uncertainties due to the limited (u,v)-coverage, however, cannot be ignored.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules towards outflows from the G351.16+0.70 (NGC 6334 V) massive protostellar system

G351.16+0.70 is a relatively well-studied High Mass Star Forming Region with at least two main bipolar outflow structures originating from an OB embedded star and multiple IR cores. Using high-resolution and large bandwidth SMA observations, we studied its molecular content to probe the emission of iCOMs which could be related to the bipolar outflows or their jets. We analyzed the emission spectra in the 1mm band within 8 GHz bandwidth coverage, from 216.75 to 220.75 GHz, and from 228.75 to 232.75 GHz. Employing the LTE approximation using the XCLASS software, we identified 260 emission lines arising from iCOMs. The emission lines in the synthetic emission spectra could be explained by 11 iCOMs and 5 molecular isotopologues. Additionally, we analyzed the outstanding broad iCOM emission lines by using integrated and velocity field maps, searching for extended emission and velocity gradients related to molecular outflows. Ro-vibrational transitions of CH$_3$OH, C$_2$H$_3$CN, CH$_3$OCHO, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, and aGg'-(CH$_2$OH)$_2$ present evidence of extended emission that does not fit with spherical morphology and that follows the path of the low-velocity $^{13}$CO outflow. The multiple outflows in the system are revealed also by the CO (2-1) and SiO (5-4) emission, but in particular we have discovered a so-called extremely high velocity outflow ($|V_{Max}-V_{LSR}|\sim 60$ km s$^{-1}$). Additionally, we provide the full line catalog of iCOMs along the 8 GHz bandwidth produced by the main protostellar core.

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arXiv2022

Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules in SiO-traced massive outflows

The interstellar medium contains dust and gas, in which at high densities and cold conditions molecules can proliferate. Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules (iCOMs) are C-bearing species that contain at least six atoms. As they are detected in young stellar objects, iCOMs are expected to inhabit the early stages of the star formation evolution. In this study, we try to determine which iCOMs are present in the outflow component of massive protostars. To do this, we analyzed the morphological extension of blue- and red-shifted iCOMs emission in a sample of eleven massive protostars employing mapping observations at one mm within a ~1 GHz bandwidth for both IRAM-30m and APEX telescopes. We modeled the iCOMs emission of the central pointing spectra of our objects using the XCLASS LTE radiative transfer code. We detected the presence of several iCOMs such as: CH3OH, 13CH3OH, CH3OCHO, C2H5C15N, and c-C3H2)CH2. In G034.41+0.24, G327.29-0.58, G328.81+0.63, G333.13-0.43, G340.97-1.02, G351.45+0.66 and G351.77-0.54, the iCOMs lines show a faint broad line profile. Due to the offset peak positions of the blue- and red-shifted emission, covering from ~0.1 to 0.5 pc, these wings are possibly related to movements external to the compact core, such as large-scale low-velocity outflows. We have also established a correlation between the parent iCOM molecule CH3OH and the shock tracer SiO, reinforcing the hypothesis that shock environments provide the conditions to boost the formation of iCOMs via gas-phase reactions.

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arXiv2021

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: a 1.1 mm AzTEC Survey of Red-$Herschel$ dusty star-forming galaxies

We present LMT/AzTEC 1.1mm observations of $\sim100$ luminous high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxy candidates from the $\sim600\,$sq.deg $Herschel$-ATLAS survey, selected on the basis of their SPIRE red far-infrared colours and with $S_{500μ\rm m}=35-80$ mJy. With an effective $θ_{\rm FWHM}\approx9.5\,$ arcsec angular resolution, our observations reveal that at least 9 per cent of the targets break into multiple systems with SNR $\geq 4$ members. The fraction of multiple systems increases to $\sim23\,$ per cent (or more) if some non-detected targets are considered multiples, as suggested by the data. Combining the new AzTEC and deblended $Herschel$ photometry we derive photometric redshifts, IR luminosities, and star formation rates. While the median redshifts of the multiple and single systems are similar $(z_{\rm med}\approx3.6)$, the redshift distribution of the latter is skewed towards higher redshifts. Of the AzTEC sources $\sim85\,$ per cent lie at $z_{\rm phot}>3$ while $\sim33\,$ per cent are at $z_{\rm phot}>4$. This corresponds to a lower limit on the space density of ultra-red sources at $4 4$ galaxies.

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arXiv2019

Warm gas in protostellar outflows. II. EHV jet and outflows from OMC-2/3

OMC-2/3 is one of the nearest embedded cluster-forming region that includes intermediate-mass protostars at early stages of evolution. A previous CO (3--2) mapping survey towards this region revealed outflow activity related to sources at different evolutionary phases. The present work aims to study the warm gas in the high-velocity emission from several outflows found in CO (3--2) emission by previous observations, determine their physical conditions, and make comparison with previous results in low-mass star-forming regions. We use the CHAMP+ heterodyne array on the APEX telescope to map the CO (6--5) and CO (7--6) emission in the OMC-2 FIR 6 and OMC-3 MMS 1-6 regions, and to observe $^{13}$CO (6--5) at selected positions. We analyze these data together with previous CO (3--2) observations. In addition, we mapped the SiO (5--4) emission in OMC-2 FIR 6. The CO (6--5) emission was detected in most of the outflow lobes in the mapped regions, while the CO (7--6) was found mostly from the OMC-3 outflows. In the OMC-3 MMS 5 outflow, a previously undetected extremely high velocity gas was found in CO (6--5). This extremely high velocity emission arises from the regions close to the central object MMS 5. Radiative transfer models revealed that the high-velocity gas from MMS 5 outflow consists of gas with $n_{\rm H_2}=$10$^4$--10$^{5}$ cm$^{-3}$ and $T>$ 200 K, similar to what is observed in young Class 0 low-mass protostars. For the other outflows, values of $n_{\rm H_2}>$10$^{4}$ cm$^{-3}$ were found. The physical conditions and kinematic properties of the young intermediate-mass outflows presented here are similar to those found in outflows from Class 0 low-mass objects. Due to their excitation requirements, mid$-J$ CO lines are good tracers of extremely high velocity gas in young outflows likely related to jets.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Early Science with the Large Millimetre Telescope: Molecules in the Extreme Outflow of a proto-Planetary Nebula

Extremely high velocity emission likely related to jets is known to occur in some proto-Planetary Nebulae. However, the molecular complexity of this kinematic component is largely unknown. We observed the known extreme outflow from the proto-Planetary Nebula IRAS 16342-3814, a prototype water fountain, in the full frequency range from 73 to 111 GHz with the RSR receiver on the Large Millimetre Telescope. We detected the molecules SiO, HCN, SO, and $^{13}$CO. All molecular transitions, with the exception of the latter are detected for the first time in this source, and all present emission with velocities up to a few hundred km s$^{-1}$. IRAS 16342-3814 is therefore the only source of this kind presenting extreme outflow activity simultaneously in all these molecules, with SO and SiO emission showing the highest velocities found of these species in proto-Planetary Nebulae. To be confirmed is a tentative weak SO component with a FWHM $\sim$ 700 km s$^{-1}$. The extreme outflow gas consists of dense gas (n$_{\rm H_2} >$ 10$^{4.8}$--10$^{5.7}$ cm$^{-3}$), with a mass larger than $\sim$ 0.02--0.15 M$_{\odot}$. The relatively high abundances of SiO and SO may be an indication of an oxygen-rich extreme high velocity gas.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Diagnosing shock temperature with NH$_3$ and H$_2$O profiles

In a previous study of the L1157 B1 shocked cavity, a comparison between NH$_3$(1$_0$-$0_0$) and H$_2$O(1$_{\rm 10}$--1$_{\rm 01}$) transitions showed a striking difference in the profiles, with H$_2$O emitting at definitely higher velocities. This behaviour was explained as a result of the high-temperature gas-phase chemistry occurring in the postshock gas in the B1 cavity of this outflow. If the differences in behaviour between ammonia and water are indeed a consequence of the high gas temperatures reached during the passage of a shock, then one should find such differences to be ubiquitous among chemically rich outflows. In order to determine whether the difference in profiles observed between NH$_3$ and H$_2$O is unique to L1157 or a common characteristic of chemically rich outflows, we have performed Herschel-HIFI observations of the NH$_3$(1$_0$-0$_0$) line at 572.5 GHz in a sample of 8 bright low-mass outflow spots already observed in the H$_2$O(1$_{\rm 10}$--1$_{\rm 01}$) line within the WISH KP. We detected the ammonia emission at high-velocities at most of the outflows positions. In all cases, the water emission reaches higher velocities than NH$_3$, proving that this behaviour is not exclusive of the L1157-B1 position. Comparisons with a gas-grain chemical and shock model confirms, for this larger sample, that the behaviour of ammonia is determined principally by the temperature of the gas.

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arXiv2016

A Catalog of Methanol Masers in Massive Star-forming Regions. III. The Molecular Outflow Sample

We present an interferometric survey of the 44 GHz class I methanol maser transition toward a sample of 69 sources consisting of High Mass Protostellar Object candidates and Ultracompact (UC) H II regions. We found a 38% detection rate (16 of 42) in the HMPO candidates and a 54% detection rate (13 of 24) for the regions with ionized gas. This result indicates that class I methanol maser emission is more common toward more evolved young stellar objects of our sample. Comparing with similar interferometric data sets, our observations show narrower linewidths, likely due to our higher spatial resolution. Based on a comparison between molecular outflow tracers and the maser positions, we find several cases where the masers appear to be located at the outflow interface with the surrounding core. Unlike previous surveys, we also find several cases where the masers appear to be located close to the base of the molecular outflow, although we can not discard projection effects. This and other surveys of class I methanol masers not only suggest that these masers may trace shocks at different stages, but may even trace shocks arising from a number of different phenomena occurring in star-forming regions: young/old outflows, cloud-cloud collisions, expanding H II regions, among others.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

The density structure of the L1157 molecular outflow

We present a multiline CS survey towards the brightest bow-shock B1 in the prototypical chemically active protostellar outflow L1157. We made use of (sub-)mm data obtained in the framework of the Chemical HErschel Surveys of Star forming regions (CHESS) and Astrochemical Surveys at IRAM (ASAI) key science programs. We detected $^{12}$C$^{32}$S, $^{12}$C$^{34}$S, $^{13}$C$^{32}$S, and $^{12}$C$^{33}$S emissions, for a total of 18 transitions, with $E_{\rm u}$ up to $\sim$ 180 K. The unprecedented sensitivity of the survey allows us to carefully analyse the line profiles, revealing high-velocity emission, up to 20 km s$^{-1}$ with respect to the systemic. The profiles can be well fitted by a combination of two exponential laws that are remarkably similar to what previously found using CO. These components have been related to the cavity walls produced by the $\sim$ 2000 yr B1 shock and the older ($\sim$ 4000 yr) B2 shock, respectively. The combination of low- and high-excitation CS emission was used to properly sample the different physical components expected in a shocked region. Our CS observations show that this molecule is highlighting the dense, $n_{\rm H_2}$ = 1--5 $\times$ 10$^{5}$ cm$^{-3}$, cavity walls produced by the episodic outflow in L1157. In addition, the highest excitation (E$_u$ $\geq$ 130 K) CS lines provide us with the signature of denser (1--5 $\times$ 10$^{6}$ cm$^{-3}$) gas, associated with a molecular reformation zone of a dissociative J-type shock, which is expected to arise where the precessing jet impacting the molecular cavities. The CS fractional abundance increases up to $\sim$ 10$^{-7}$ in all the kinematical components. This value is consistent with what previously found for prototypical protostars and it is in agreement with the prediction of the abundances obtained via the chemical code Astrochem.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

The CHESS survey of the L1157-B1 bow-shock: high and low excitation water vapor

Molecular outflows powered by young protostars strongly affect the kinematics and chemistry of the natal molecular cloud through strong shocks resulting in substantial modifications of the abundance of several species. As part of the "Chemical Herschel Surveys of Star forming regions" guaranteed time key program, we aim at investigating the physical and chemical conditions of H20 in the brightest shock region B1 of the L1157 molecular outflow. We observed several ortho- and para-H2O transitions using HIFI and PACS instruments on board Herschel, providing a detailed picture of the kinematics and spatial distribution of the gas. We performed a LVG analysis to derive the physical conditions of H2O shocked material, and ultimately obtain its abundance. We detected 13 H2O lines probing a wide range of excitation conditions. PACS maps reveal that H2O traces weak and extended emission associated with the outflow identified also with HIFI in the o-H2O line at 556.9 GHz, and a compact (~10") bright, higher-excitation region. The LVG analysis of H2O lines in the bow-shock show the presence of two gas components with different excitation conditions: a warm (Tkin~200-300 K) and dense (n(H2)~(1-3)x10^6 cm-3) component with an assumed extent of 10" and a compact (~2"-5") and hot, tenuous (Tkin~900-1400 K, n(H2)~10^3-10^4 cm-3) gas component, which is needed to account for the line fluxes of high Eu transitions. The fractional abundance of the warm and hot H2O gas components is estimated to be (0.7-2)x10^{-6} and (1-3)x10^{-4}, respectively. Finally, we identified an additional component in absorption in the HIFI spectra of H2O lines connecting with the ground state level, probably arising from the photodesorption of icy mantles of a water-enriched layer at the edges of the cloud.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

The L1157 protostellar outflow imaged with the SMA

We use the Submillimeter Array to observe, at 1.4 mm, the blue-lobe of the L1157 outflow at high spatial resolution (~ 3"). We detected SiO, H_2CO, and CH_3OH lines from several molecular clumps that constitute the outflow. All three molecules were detected along the wall of the inner cavity that is supposedly related with the later ejection event. On the other hand, no emission was detected towards positions related to an old ejection episode, likely due to space filtering from the interferometer. The H_2CO and CH_3OH emission is detected only at velocities close to the systemic velocity. The spatial distributions of the H_2CO and CH_3OH are similar. These emission lines trace the U-shaped structure seen in the mid-infrared image. In contrast, the SiO emission is detected in wider velocity range with a peak at ~14 km s/s blue-shifted from the systemic velocity. The SiO emission is brightest at the B1 position, which corresponds to the apex of the U-shaped structure. There are two compact SiO clumps along the faint arc-like feature to the east of the U-shaped structure. At the B1 position, there are two velocity components; one is a compact clump with a size of ~1500 AU seen in the high-velocity and the other is an extended component with lower velocities. The kinematic structure at the B1 position is different from that expected in a single bow shock. It is likely that the high-velocity SiO clump at the B1 position is kinetically independent from the low-velocity gas. The line ratio between SiO (5--4) and SiO (2--1) suggests that the high velocity SiO clumps consist of high density gas of n ~ 10^5 - 10^6 cm^-3, which is comparable to the density of the bullets in the extremely high velocity (EHV) jets. It is likely that the high-velocity SiO clumps in L1157 have the same origin as the EHV bullets.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

High-J CO emission in the Cepheus E protostellar outflow observed with SOFIA/GREAT

We present and analyze two spectrally resolved high-J CO lines towards the molecular outflow Cep E, driven by an intermediate-mass class 0 protostar. Using the GREAT receiver on board SOFIA, we observed the CO (12--11) and (13--12) transitions (E_u ~ 430 and 500 K, respectively) towards one position in the blue lobe of this outflow, that had been known to display high-velocity molecular emission. We detect the outflow emission in both transitions, up to extremely high velocities (~ 100 km/s with respect to the systemic velocity). We divide the line profiles into three velocity ranges that each have interesting spectral features: standard, intermediate, and extremely high-velocity. One distinct bullet is detected in each of the last two. A large velocity gradient analysis for these three velocity ranges provides constraints on the kinetic temperature and volume density of the emitting gas, >~ 100 K and > ~ 10^4 cm^-3, respectively. These results are in agreement with previous ISO observations and are comparable with results obtained by Herschel for similar objects. We conclude that high-J CO lines are a good tracer of molecular bullets in protostellar outflows. Our analysis suggests that different physical conditions are at work in the intermediate velocity range compared with the standard and extremely high-velocity gas at the observed position.

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