arXiv subjects

A. O. Benz

Publications and source records attributed to A. O. Benz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

HIFI Observations of Water in the Atmosphere of Comet C/2008 Q3 (Garradd)

High-resolution far-infrared and sub-millimetre spectroscopy of water lines is an important tool to understand the physical and chemical properties of cometary atmospheres. We present observations of several rotational ortho- and para-water transitions in comet C/2008 Q3 (Garradd) performed with HIFI on Herschel. These observations have provided the first detection of the 2_{12}-1_{01} (1669 GHz) ortho and 1_{11}-0_{00} (1113 GHz) para transitions of water in a cometary spectrum. In addition, the ground-state transition 1_{10}-1_{01} at 557 GHz is detected and mapped. By detecting several water lines quasi-simultaneously and mapping their emission we can constrain the excitation parameters in the coma. Synthetic line profiles are computed using excitation models which include excitation by collisions, solar infrared radiation, and radiation trapping. We obtain the gas kinetic temperature, constrain the electron density profile, and estimate the coma expansion velocity by analyzing the map and line shapes. We derive water production rates of 1.7-2.8 x 10^{28} s^{-1} over the range r_h = 1.83-1.85 AU.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2010

Detection of interstellar oxidaniumyl: abundant H2O+ towards the star-forming regions DR21, Sgr B2, and NGC6334

We identify a prominent absorption feature at 1115 GHz, detected in first HIFI spectra towards high-mass star-forming regions, and interpret its astrophysical origin. The characteristic hyperfine pattern of the H2O+ ground-state rotational transition, and the lack of other known low-energy transitions in this frequency range, identifies the feature as H2O+ absorption against the dust continuum background and allows us to derive the velocity profile of the absorbing gas. By comparing this velocity profile with velocity profiles of other tracers in the DR21 star-forming region, we constrain the frequency of the transition and the conditions for its formation. In DR21, the velocity distribution of H2O+ matches that of the [CII] line at 158μ\m and of OH cm-wave absorption, both stemming from the hot and dense clump surfaces facing the HII-region and dynamically affected by the blister outflow. Diffuse foreground gas dominates the absorption towards Sgr B2. The integrated intensity of the absorption line allows us to derive lower limits to the H2O+ column density of 7.2e12 cm^-2 in NGC 6334, 2.3e13 cm^-2 in DR21, and 1.1e15 cm^-2 in Sgr B2.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

HIFI observations of warm gas in DR21: Shock versus radiative heating

The molecular gas in the DR21 massive star formation region is known to be affected by the strong UV field from the central star cluster and by a fast outflow creating a bright shock. The relative contribution of both heating mechanisms is the matter of a long debate. By better sampling the excitation ladder of various tracers we provide a quantitative distinction between the different heating mechanisms. HIFI observations of mid-J transitions of CO and HCO+ isotopes allow us to bridge the gap in excitation energies between observations from the ground, characterizing the cooler gas, and existing ISO LWS spectra, constraining the properties of the hot gas. Comparing the detailed line profiles allows to identify the physical structure of the different components. In spite of the known shock-excitation of H2 and the clearly visible strong outflow, we find that the emission of all lines up to > 2 THz can be explained by purely radiative heating of the material. However, the new Herschel/HIFI observations reveal two types of excitation conditions. We find hot and dense clumps close to the central cluster, probably dynamically affected by the outflow, and a more widespread distribution of cooler, but nevertheless dense, molecular clumps.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Origin of the hot gas in low-mass protostars: Herschel-PACS spectroscopy of HH 46

'Water in Star-forming regions with Herschel' (WISH) is a Herschel Key Programme aimed at understanding the physical and chemical structure of young stellar objects (YSOs) with a focus on water and related species. The low-mass protostar HH 46 was observed with the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) on the Herschel Space Observatory to measure emission in H2O, CO, OH, [OI], and [CII] lines located between 63 and 186 um. The excitation and spatial distribution of emission can disentangle the different heating mechanisms of YSOs, with better spatial resolution and sensitivity than previously possible. Far-IR line emission is detected at the position of the protostar and along the outflow axis. The OH emission is concentrated at the central position, CO emission is bright at the central position and along the outflow, and H2O emission is concentrated in the outflow. In addition, [OI] emission is seen in low-velocity gas, assumed to be related to the envelope, and is also seen shifted up to 170 km/s in both the red- and blue-shifted jets. Envelope models are constructed based on previous observational constraints. They indicate that passive heating of a spherical envelope by the protostellar luminosity cannot explain the high-excitation molecular gas detected with PACS, including CO lines with upper levels at >2500 K above the ground state. Instead, warm CO and H2O emission is probably produced in the walls of an outflow-carved cavity in the envelope, which are heated by UV photons and non-dissociative C-type shocks. The bright OH and [OI] emission is attributed to J-type shocks in dense gas close to the protostar. In the scenario described here, the combined cooling by far-IR lines within the central spatial pixel is estimated to be 2 \times 10-2 L_sun, with 60-80% attributed to J- and C-type shocks produced by interactions between the jet and the envelope.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Observations of conduction driven evaporation in the early rise phase of solar flares

In the classical flare picture, hard X-ray emission from the chromosphere is succeeded by soft-X-ray emission from hot plasma in the flare loop, the soft X-ray emission being a direct consequence of the impact of the non-thermal particle beam. However, observations of events exist in which a pronounced increase in soft X-ray emission is observed minutes before the onset of the hard X-ray emission. Such pre-flare emission clearly contradicts the classical flare picture. For the first time, the pre-flare phase of such solar flares is studied in detail. We want to explain the time evolution of the observed emission by means of alternative energy transport mechanisms such as heat conduction. RHESSI events displaying pronounced pre-flare emission were analyzed in imaging and spectroscopy. The pre-flare phase is characterized by purely thermal emission from a coronal source with increasing emission measure and density. After this earliest phase, a small non-thermal tail to higher energies appears in the spectra, becoming more and more pronounced. However, images still only display one X-ray source, implying that this non-thermal emission is coronal. The increase of emission measure and density indicates that material is added to the coronal region. The most plausible origin is evaporated material from the chromosphere. Energy provided by a heat flux is capable of driving chromospheric evaporation.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2007

Energetic radiation and the sulfur chemistry of protostellar envelopes: Submillimeter interferometry of AFGL 2591

CONTEXT: The chemistry in the inner few thousand AU of accreting envelopes around young stellar objects is predicted to vary greatly with far-UV and X-ray irradiation by the central star. Aim We search for molecular tracers of high-energy irradiation by the protostar in the hot inner envelope. METHODS: The Submillimeter Array (SMA) has observed the high-mass star forming region AFGL 2591 in lines of CS, SO, HCN, HCN(v2=1), and HC15N with 0.6" resolution at 350 GHz probing radial scales of 600-3500 AU for an assumed distance of 1 kpc. The SMA observations are compared with the predictions of a chemical model fitted to previous single-dish observations. RESULTS: The CS and SO main peaks are extended in space at the FWHM level, as predicted in the model assuming protostellar X-rays. However, the main peak sizes are found smaller than modeled by nearly a factor of 2. On the other hand, the lines of CS, HCN, and HC15N, but not SO and HCN(v2=1), show pedestal emissions at radii of about 3500 AU that are not predicted. All lines except SO show a secondary peak within the approaching outflow cone. A dip or null in the visibilities caused by a sharp decrease in abundance with increasing radius is not observed in CS and only tentatively in SO. CONCLUSIONS: The emission of protostellar X-rays is supported by the good fit of the modeled SO and CS amplitude visibilities including an extended main peak in CS. The broad pedestals can be interpreted by far-UV irradiation in a spherically non-symmetric geometry, possibly comprising outflow walls on scales of 3500 -- 7000 AU. The extended CS and SO main peaks suggest sulfur evaporation near the 100 K temperature radius.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Tracing high energy radiation with molecular lines near deeply embedded protostars

Submillimeter lines of CN, NO, CO+ and SO+, and upper limits on SH+ and N2O are observed with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in two high-mass and up to nine low-mass young stellar objects and compared with chemical models. Constant fractional abundances derived from radiative transfer modeling of the line strengths are x(CN) ~ a few x 10^{-11}-10^{-8}, x(NO) ~ 10^{-9}-10^{-8} and x(CO+) ~ 10^{-12}-10^{-10}. SO+ has abundances of a few x 10^{-11} in the high-mass objects and upper limits of ~ 10^{-12}-10^{-11} in the low-mass sources. All abundances are up to 1-2 orders of magnitude higher if the molecular emission is assumed to originate mainly from the inner region (< 1000 AU) of the envelope. For high-mass sources, the CN, SO+ and CO+ abundances and abundance ratios are best explained by an enhanced far-ultraviolet (FUV) field impacting gas at temperatures of a few hundred K. The observed column densities require that this region of enhanced FUV has scales comparable to the observing beam, such as in a geometry in which the enhanced FUV irradiates outflow walls. For low-mass sources, the required temperatures within the FUV models of T > 300 K are much higher than found in models, so that an X-ray enhanced region close to the protostar (r < 500 AU) is more plausible. The observed abundances imply X-ray fluxes for the Class 0 objects of L_X ~ 10^{29}-10^{31} erg s^{-1}, comparable to those observed from low-mass Class I protostars. Spatially resolved data are needed to clearly distinguish the effects of FUV and X-rays for individual species.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Water destruction by X-rays in young stellar objects

We study the H2O chemistry in star-forming environments under the influence of a central X-ray source and a central far ultraviolet (FUV) radiation field. The gas-phase water chemistry is modeled as a function of time, hydrogen density and X-ray flux. To cover a wide range of physical environments, densities between n_H = 10^4-10^9 cm^-3 and temperatures between T = 10-1000 K are studied. Three different regimes are found: For T < 100 K, the water abundance is of order 10^-7-10^-6 and can be somewhat enhanced or reduced due to X-rays, depending on time and density. For 100 K < T < 250 K, H2O is reduced from initial x(H2O) ~ 10^-4 following ice evaporation to x(H2O) ~ 10^-6 for F_X > 10^-3 ergs s-1 cm^-2 (t = 10^4 yrs) and for F_X > 10^-4 ergs s^-1 cm^-2 (t = 10^5 yrs). At higher temperatures (T > 250 K) and hydrogen densities, water can persist with x(H2O) ~ 10^-4 even for high X-ray fluxes. The X-ray and FUV models are applied to envelopes around low-mass Class 0 and I young stellar objects (YSOs). Water is destroyed in both Class 0 and I envelopes on relatively short timescales (t ~ 5000 yrs) for realistic X-ray fluxes, although the effect is less prominent in Class 0 envelopes due to the higher X-ray absorbing densities there. FUV photons from the central source are not effective in destroying water. The average water abundance in Class I sources for L_X > 10^27 ergs s^-1 is predicted to be x(H2O) < 10^-6.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

X-ray chemistry in envelopes around young stellar objects

We present chemical models of the envelope of a young stellar object (YSO) exposed to a central X-ray source. The models are applied to the massive star-forming region AFGL 2591 for different X-ray fluxes. The total X-ray ionization rate is dominated by the `secondary' ionization rate of H2 resulting from fast electrons. The carbon, sulphur and nitrogen chemistries are discussed. It is found that He+ and H3+ are enhanced and trigger a peculiar chemistry. Several molecular X-ray tracers are found and compared to tracers of the far ultraviolet (FUV) field. Like ultraviolet radiation fields, X-rays enhance simple hydrides, ions and radicals. In contrast to ultraviolet photons, X-rays can penetrate deep into the envelope and affect the chemistry even at large distances from the source. Whereas the FUV enhanced species cover a region of 200-300 AU, the region enhanced by X-rays is >1000 AU. Best-fit models for AFGL 2591 predict an X-ray luminosity LX > 1e+31 ergs/s with a hard X-ray spectrum TX > 3e+07 K. Furthermore, we find LX/Lbol ~ 1e-6. The chemistry of the bulk of the envelope mass is dominated by cosmic-ray induced reactions rather than by X-ray induced ionization for X-ray luminosities LX < 1e+33 ergs/s. The calculated line intensities of HCO+ and HCS+ show that high-J lines are more affected than lower J lines by the presence of X-rays due to their higher critical densities, and that such differences are detectable even with large aperture single-dish telescopes. Future instruments such as Herschel-HIFI or SOFIA will be able to observe X-ray enhanced hydrides whereas the sensitivity and spatial resolution of ALMA is well-suited to measure the size and geometry of the region affected by X-rays.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Absence of linear polarization in Halpha emission of solar flares

High sensitivity observations of Halpha polarization of 30 flares of different sizes and disk positions are reported. Both filter and spectrographic techniques have been used. The ZIMPOL system eliminates spurious polarizations due to seeing and flat-field effects. We didn't find any clear linear polarization signature above our sensitivity level which was usually better than 0.1%. The observations include an X17.1 flare with gamma-ray lines reported by the RHESSI satellite. These results cast serious doubts on previous claims of linear polarization at the one percent level and more, attributed to impact polarization. The absence of linear polarization limits the anisotropy of energetic protons in the H$α$ emitting region. The likely causes are isotropization by collisions with neutrals in the chromosphere and defocusing by the converging magnetic field.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

X-ray Chemistry in the Envelopes around Young Stellar Objects

We have studied the influence of X-rays from a massive young stellar object (YSO) on the chemistry of its own envelope by extending the models of Doty et al. (2002) and Staeuber et al. (2004). The models are applied to the massive star-forming region AFGL 2591 for different X-ray luminosities and plasma temperatures. Enhanced column densities for several species are predicted. In addition we present first detections of CO+ and SO+ toward AFGL 2591. These molecular ions are believed to be high-energy tracers. Herschel-HIFI will be able to observe other tracers like CH and CH+ whereas ALMA is well suited to measure the size and geometry of the emitting region.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

A nanoflare heating model for the quiet solar corona

The energy input into the lower solar corona by flare evaporation events has been modeled according to the available observations for quiet regions. The question is addressed whether such heating events can provide the observed average level of the coronal emission measure and thus of the observed flux of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray emission without contradicting the observed average power spectrum of the emission measure, the typical emission measure variations observed for individual pixels and the observed flare energy distribution. As the assumed flare height influences the derived flare energy, the mathematical foundations of nanoflare distributions and their conversion to different height assumptions are studied first. This also allows a comparison with various published energy distributions differing in height assumptions and to relate the observations to the input parameters of the heating model. An analytic evaluation of the power spectrum yields the relationship between the average time profile of nanoflares (or microflares), assumed to be self-similar in energy, and the power spectrum. We find that the power spectrum is very sensitive to the chosen time profile of the flares. Models are found by numerical simulation that fit all available observations. They are not unique but severely constrained. We concentrate on a model with a flare height proportional to the square root of the flare area. The existence of a fitting model demonstrates that nanoflare heating of the corona is a viable and attractive mechanism.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Influence of UV radiation from a massive YSO on the chemistry of its envelope

We have studied the influence of far ultraviolet (UV) radiation from a massive young stellar object (YSO) on the chemistry of its own envelope by extending the models of Doty et al. (2002) to include a central source of UV radiation. The models are applied to the massive star-forming region AFGL 2591 for different inner UV field strengths. Depth-dependent abundance profiles for several molecules are presented and discussed. We predict enhanced column densities for more than 30 species, especially radicals and ions. Comparison between observations and models is improved with a moderate UV field incident on the inner envelope, corresponding to an enhancement factor G0~10-100 at 200 AU from the star with an optical depth tau~15-17. Subtle differences are found compared with traditional models of Photon Dominated Regions (PDRs) because of the higher temperatures and higher gas-phase H2O abundance caused by evaporation of ices in the inner region. In particular, the CN/HCN ratio is not a sensitive tracer of the inner UV field, in contrast with the situation for normal PDRs: for low UV fields, the extra CN reacts with H2 in the inner dense and warm region and produces more HCN. It is found that the CH+ abundance is strongly enhanced and grows steadily with increasing UV field. High-J lines of molecules like CN and HCN are most sensitive to the inner dense region where UV radiation plays a role. Thus, even though the total column density affected by UV photons is small, comparison of high-J and low-J lines can selectively trace and distinguish the inner UV field from the outer one. In addition, future Herschel-HIFI observations of hydrides can sensitively probe the inner UV field.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

High-Energy Radiation Probes of Protostellar Envelopes

We present observations of molecular high-energy radiation probes and report the first detections of CO+ toward W3 IRS5, a source containing ultracompact HII regions. UV radiation and X-rays from the central objects may enhance molecules due to photodissociation and ionization processes. To study the effects on the immediate YSO environment, we are developing time- and depth-dependant chemical models containing UV and X-ray chemistry, by extending the models of Doty et al. (2002). Molecules like CO+ or NO may be used as tracers of very early X-ray emission in regions of high extinction, from which no X-ray photons can be detected.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Energy Budget and Imaging Spectroscopy of a Compact Flare

We present the analysis of a compact flare that occurred on 2002/02/26 at 10:26 UT, seen by both RHESSI and TRACE. The size of the nearly circular hard X-ray source is determined to be 4.7(+-1.5)" from the modulation profiles of the RHESSI collimators. The power-law distribution of non-thermal photons is observed to extend down to 10 keV without flattening, and to soften with increasing distance from the flare kernel. The former indicates that the energy of the precipitating flare electron population is larger than previously estimated: it amounts to 2.6(+-0.8)10^30 erg above 10 keV, assuming thick-target emission. The thermal energy content of the soft X-ray source (isothermal temperature of 20.8(+-0.9)MK) and its radiated power were derived from the thermal emission at low energies. TRACE has observed a low-temperature ejection in the form of a constricted bubble, which is interpreted as a reconnection jet. Its initial energy of motion is estimated. Using data from both satellites, an energy budget for this flare is derived. The kinetic energy of the jet bulk motion and the thermal and radiated energies of the flare kernel were more than an order of magnitude smaller than the derived electron beam energy. A movie is available on the CD-ROM accompanying this volume.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Microflares and Hot Component in Solar Active Regions

Open-shutter RHESSI observations of 3-15 keV X-rays are found to exhibit active region transient brightenings and microflares at a rate of at least 10 per hour occurring even during the periods of lowest solar activity so far in the mission. A thermal component fitted by temperatures of 6-14 MK dominates from 3 keV to about 9 keV, but can be traced up to 14 keV in some cases, and has an average duration of 131(+-103) seconds at 7-8 keV. The duration increases with decreasing photon energy. The peak count rate defined by cross-correlation is delayed at low energies. The temperature peaks early in the event and then decreases, whereas the emission measure increases throughout the event. The properties are consistent with thermal conduction dominating the evolution. In some of the bigger events, a second component was found in the 11-14 keV range extending down to 8 keV in some cases. The duration is typically 3 times shorter and ends near the peak time of the thermal component consistent with the Neupert effect of regular flares. Therefore the second component is suggested to be of non-thermal origin, presumably causing the beam-driven evaporation of the first component. The two components can be separated and analyzed in detail for the first time. Low-keV measurements allow a reliable estimate of the energy input by microflares necessary to assess their relevance for coronal heating.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Acceleration and Enrichment of 3He in Impulsive Solar Flares by Electron Firehose Waves

A new mechanism for acceleration and enrichment of 3He during impulsive solar flares is presented. Low-frequency electromagnetic plasma waves excited by the Electron Firehose Instability (EFI) can account for the acceleration of ions up to 1 MeV/amu energies as a single stage process. The EFI arises as a direct consequence of the free energy stored in a temperature anisotropy (T_parallel>T_perp) of the bulk energized electron population during the acceleration process. In contrast to other mechanisms which require special plasma properties, the EFI is an intrinsic feature of the acceleration process of the bulk electrons. Being present as a side effect in the flaring plasma, these waves can account for the acceleration of 3He and 4He while selectively enhancing 3He due to the spectral energy density built up from linear growth. Linearized kinetic theory, analytic models and test-particle simulations have been applied to investigate the ability of the waves to accelerate and fractionate. As waves grow in both directions parallel to the magnetic field, they can trap resonant ions and efficiently accelerate them to the highest energies. Plausible models have been found that can explain the observed energies, spectra and abundances of 3He and 4He.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

On the reliability of peak-flux distributions, with an application to solar flares

Narrow-band radio spikes have been recorded during a solar flare with unprecedented resolution. This unique example allows to study the effect of low resolution in previously published peak-flux distributions of radio spikes. We give a general, analytical expression for how an actual peak-flux distribution is changed in shape if the peaks are determined with low temporal and/or frequency resolution. It turns out that, generally, low resolution tends to cause an exponential behavior at large flux values if the actual distribution is of power-law shape. The distribution may be severely altered if the burst-duration depends on the peak-flux. The derived expression is applicable also to peak-flux distributions derived at other wavelengths (e.g. soft and hard X-rays, EUV). We show that for the analyzed spike-event the resolution was sufficient for a reliable peak flux distribution. It can be fitted by generalized power-laws or by an exponential.

astro-ph↗