Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Dinh-V-Trung

Publications and source records attributed to Dinh-V-Trung.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Tracing the asymmetry in the envelope around the carbon star CIT 6

We present high angular resolution observations of HC$_3$N J=5--4 line and 7 mm continumm emission from the extreme carbon star CIT 6. We find that the 7 mm continuum emission is unresolved and has a flux consistent with black-body thermal radiation from the central star. The HC$_3$N J=5--4 line emission originates from an asymmetric and clumpy expanding envelope comprising two separate shells of HC$_3$N J=5--4 emission: (i) a faint outer shell that is nearly spherical which has a radius of 8\arcsec; and (ii) a thick and incomplete inner shell that resembles a one-arm spiral starting at or close to the central star and extending out to a radius of about 5\arcsec. Our observations therefore suggest that the mass loss from CIT 6 is strongly modulated with time and highly anisotropic. Furthermore, a comparison between the data and our excitation modelling results suggests an unusually high abundance of HC$_3$N in its envelope. We discuss the possibility that the envelope might be shaped by the presence of a previously suggested possible binary companion. The abundance of HC$_3$N may be enhanced in spiral shocks produced by the interaction between the circumstellar envelope of CIT 6 and its companion star.

astro-ph↗

Submillimeter narrow emission lines from the inner envelope of IRC+10216

A spectral-line survey of IRC+10216 in the 345 GHz band has been undertaken with the Submillimeter Array. Although not yet completed, it has already yielded a fairly large sample of narrow molecular emission lines with line-widths indicating expansion velocities of ~4 km/s, less than 3 times the well-known value of the terminal expansion velocity (14.5 km/s) of the outer envelope. Five of these narrow lines have now been identified as rotational transitions in vibrationally excited states of previously detected molecules: the v=1, J=17--16 and J=19--18 lines of Si34S and 29SiS and the v=2, J=7--6 line of CS. Maps of these lines show that the emission is confined to a region within ~60 AU of the star, indicating that the narrow-line emission is probing the region of dust-formation where the stellar wind is still being accelerated.

astro-ph↗

The peculiar molecular envelope around the post-AGB star IRAS 08544--4431

Circumbinary disks have been hypothesized to exist around a number of binary post-AGB stars. Although most of the circumbinary disks have been inferred through the near IR excess, a few of them are strong emitters of molecular emission. Here we present high angular resolution observations of the emission of $^{12}$CO and its isotopomer $^{13}$CO J=2--1 line from the circumstellar envelope around the binary post-AGB star IRAS 08544$-$4431, which is one of the most prominent members of this class of objects. We find that the envelope is resolved in our observations and two separate components can be identified: (a) a central extended and strong component with very narrow linewidth between 2 - 6 \kms; (b) a weak bipolar outflow with expansion velocity up to 8 \kms. The central compact component possesses low and variable $^{12}$CO/$^{13}$CO J=2--1 line ratio, indicating optically thick emission of the main isotope. We estimate a molecular gas mass of 0.0047 M$_\odot$ for this component based on the optically thinner $^{13}$CO J=2--1 line. We discuss the relation of the molecular envelope and the circumbinary disk inferred from near IR excess and compare with other known cases where the distribution of molecular gas has been imaged at high angular resolution.

astro-ph↗

A Molecular Line Survey of the Highly Evolved Carbon Star CIT 6

We present a spectral line survey of the C-rich envelope CIT 6 in the 2mm and 1.3mm bands carried out with the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) 12m telescope and the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (SMT). The observations cover the frequency ranges of 131--160 GHz, 219--244 GHz, and 252--268 GHz with typical sensitivity limit of T_R<10 mK. A total of 74 individual emission features are detected, of which 69 are identified to arise from 21 molecular species and isotopologues, with 5 faint lines remaining unidentified. Two new molecules (C4H and CH3CN) and seven new isotopologues (C17O, 29SiC2, 29SiO, 30SiO, 13CS, C33S, and CS) are detected in this object for the first time. The column densities, excitation temperatures, and fractional abundances of the detected molecules are determined using rotation diagram analysis. Comparison of the spectra of CIT 6 to that of IRC+10216 suggests that the spectral properties of CIT 6 are generally consistent with those of IRC+10216. For most of the molecular species, the intensity ratios of the lines detected in the two objects are in good agreement with each other. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting enhanced emission from CN and HC3N and depleted emission from HCN, SiS, and C4H in CIT 6. Based on their far-IR spectra, we find that CIT 6 probably has a lower dust-to-molecular gas ratio than IRC+10216. To investigate the chemical evolution of evolved stars, we compare the molecular abundances in the AGB envelopes CIT 6 and IRC+10216 and those in the bright proto-planetary nebula CRL 618. The implication on the circumstellar chemistry is discussed.

astro-ph↗

Distribution and kinematics of the HCN(3-2) emission down to the innermost region in the envelope of the O-rich star W Hya

We report high angular resolution observations of the HCN (3-2) line emission in the circumstellar envelope of the O-rich star W Hya with the Submillimeter Array. The proximity of this star allows us to image its molecular envelope with a spatial resolution of just ~40 AU, corresponding to about 10 times the stellar diameter. We resolve the HCN (3-2) emission and find that it is centrally peaked and has a roughly spherically symmetrical distribution. This shows that HCN is formed in the innermost region of the envelope (within ~10 stellar radii), which is consistent with predictions from pulsation-driven shock chemistry models, and rules out the scenario in which HCN forms through photochemical reactions in the outer envelope. Our model suggests that the envelope decreases steeply in temperature and increases smoothly in velocity with radius, inconsistent with the standard model for mass-loss driven by radiative pressure on dust grains. We detect a velocity gradient of ~5 km/s in the NW--SE direction over the central 40 AU. This velocity gradient is reminescent of that seen in OH maser lines, and could be caused by the rotation of the envelope or by a weak bipolar outflow.

astro-ph↗

Molecular Gas and Star formation in ARP 302

We present the Submillimeter Array observation of the CO J=2-1 transition towards the northern galaxy, ARP 302N, of the early merging system, ARP 302. Our high angular resolution observation reveals the extended spatial distribution of the molecular gas in ARP 302N. We find that the molecular gas has a very asymmetric distribution with two strong concentrations on either side of the center together with a weaker one offset by about 8 kpc to the north. The molecular gas distribution is also found to be consistent with that from the hot dust as traced by the 24 micro continuum emission observed by the Spitzer. The line ratio of CO J=2-1/1-0 is found to vary strongly from about 0.7 near the galaxy center to 0.4 in the outer part of the galaxy. Excitation analysis suggests that the gas density is low, less than 10$^3$ cm$^{-3}$, over the entire galaxy. By fitting the SED of ARP 302N in the far infrared we obtain a dust temperature of $T\rm_d$=26-36 K and a dust mass of M$\rm _{dust}$=2.0--3.6$\times10^8$ M$\rm_\odot$. The spectral index of the radio continuum is around 0.9. The spatial distribution and spectral index of the radio continuum emission suggests that most of the radio continuum emission is synchrotron emission from the star forming regions at the nucleus and ARP302N-cm. The good spatial correspondance between the 3.6 cm radio continuum emission, the Spitzer 8 & 24 $μ$m data and the high resolution CO J=2-1 observation from the SMA shows that there is the asymmetrical star forming activities in ARP 302N.

astro-ph↗

A spectral line survey in the 2 mm and 1.3 mm windows toward the carbon rich envelope of IRC +10216

We present the results of our spectral line surveys in the 2 mm and 1.3 mm windows toward the carbon rich envelope of IRC +10216. Totally 377 lines are detected, among which 360 lines are assigned to 57 known molecules (including 29 rare isotopomers and 2 cyclic isomers). Only 17 weak lines remain unidentified. Rotational lines of isotopomers 13CCH and HN13C are detected for the first time in IRC +10216. The detection of the formaldehyde lines in this star is also confirmed. Possible abundance difference among the three 13C substituted isotopic isomers of HC3N is reported. Isotopic ratios of C and O are confirmed to be non-solar while those of S and Si to be nearly solar. Column densities have been estimated for 15 molecular species. Modified spectroscopic parameters have been calculated for NaCN, Na13CN, KCN and SiC2. Transition frequencies from the present observations were used to improve the spectroscopic parameters of Si13CC, 29SiC2 and 30SiC2.

astro-ph↗

Molecular gas in nearby elliptical radio galaxies

Powerful radio-AGN are hosted by massive elliptical galaxies which are usually very poor in molecular gas. Nevertheless the central Black Hole (BH) needs molecular gas for the nuclear activity. Thus it is important to study the origin, the distribution and the kinematics of the molecular gas in such objects. We have performed at the IRAM-30m telescope a survey of the CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) emission in the most powerful radio galaxies of the Local Universe, selected only on the basis of their radio continuum fluxes. The main result of that survey is the low content in molecular gas of such galaxies compared to Seyfert galaxies. The median value of the molecular gas mass is 4x10^8 Msun. Moreover, the CO spectra indicate the presence of a central molecular gas disk in some of these radio galaxies. We complemented this survey with photometric data of SPITZER and IRAS fluxes with the purpose to study the dust and its relation with the molecular gas and AGN.

astro-ph↗

A spectral line survey of NGC 7027 at millimeter wavelengths

We report on a recent spectral line survey of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 7027 using the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) 12m telescope and the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (SMT) at millimeter wavelengths. The spectra covering the frequency ranges 71--111GHz, 157--161GHz, and 218--267GHz were obtained with a typical sensitivity of rms<8mK. A total of 67 spectral lines are detected, 21 of which are identified with 8 molecular species, 32 with recombination lines from hydrogen and helium, and 14 remains unidentified. As the widths of emission lines from CO, other neutral molecules, molecular ions, as well as recombination of H+ and He+ are found to be different with each other, the line strengths and profiles are used to investigate the physical conditions and chemical processes of the neutral envelope of NGC 7027. The column densities and fractional abundances relative to H2 of the observed molecular species are calculated and compared with predictions from chemical models. We found evidence for overabundance of N2H+ and underabundance of CS and HNC in NGC 7027, suggesting that X-ray emission and shock wave may play an important role in the chemistry of the hot molecular envelope of the young PN.

astro-ph↗

Radially-Inflowing Molecular Gas in NGC 1275 Deposited by a X-ray Cooling Flow in the Perseus Cluster

We have imaged in CO(2-1) the molecular gas in NGC 1275 (Perseus A), the cD galaxy at the center of the Perseus Cluster, at a spatial resolution of $\sim$1 kpc over a central region of radius $\sim$ 10 kpc. Per A is known to contain $\sim$1.3x10$^{10}$ M$_\odot$ of molecular gas, which has been proposed to be captured from mergers with or ram-pressure stripping of gas-rich galaxies, or accreted from a X-ray cooling flow. The molecular gas detected in our image has a total mass of $\sim$4x10$^9$ M$_\odot$, and for the first time can be seen to be concentrated in three radial filaments with lengths ranging from at least 1.1-2.4 kpc all lying in the east-west directions spanning the center of the galaxy to radii of $\sim$8 kpc. The eastern and outer western filaments exhibit larger blueshifted velocities with decreasing radii, whereas the inner western filament spans the systemic velocity of the galaxy. The molecular gas shows no signature of orbital motion, and is therefore unlikely to have been captured from gas-rich galaxies. Instead, we are able to reproduce the observed kinematics of the two outer filaments as free-fall in the gravitational potential of Per A, as would be expected if they originate from a X-ray cooling flow. Indeed, all three filaments lie between two prominent X-ray cavities carved out by radio jets from Per A, and closely resembles the spatial distribution of the coolest X-ray gas in the cluster core. The inferred mass-deposition rate into the two outermost filaments alone is roughly 75 M$_odot$ yr$^{-1}$. This cooling flow can provide a nearly continuous supply of molecular gas to fuel the active nucleus in Per A.

astro-ph↗

Molecular shells in IRC+10216: Evidence for non-isotropic and episodic mass loss enhancement

We report high angular-resolution VLA observations of cyanopolyyne molecules HC$_3$N and HC$_5$N from the carbon rich circumstellar envelope of IRC+10216. The observed low-lying rotational transitions trace a much more extended emitting region than seen in previous observations at higher frequency transitions. We resolve the hollow quasi-spherical distribution of the molecular emissions into a number of clumpy shells. These molecular shells coincide spatially with dust arcs seen in deep optical images of the IRC+10216 envelope, allowing us to study for the first time the kinematics of these features. We find that the molecular and dust shells represent the same density enhancements in the envelope separated in time by $\sim$120 to $\sim$360 yrs. From the angular size and velocity spread of the shells, we estimate that each shell typically covers about 10% of the stellar surface at the time of ejection. The distribution of the shells seems to be random in space. The good spatial correspondance between HC$_3$N and HC$_5$N emissions is in qualitative agreement with a recent chemical model that takes into account the presence of density-enhanced shells. The broad spatial distribution of the cyanopolyyne molecules, however, would necessitate further study on their formation.

astro-ph↗

Massive expanding torus and fast outflow in planetary nebula NGC 6302

We present interferometric observations of $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO $J$=2$-$1 emission from the butterfly-shaped, young planetary nebula NGC 6302. The high angular resolution and high sensitivity achieved in our observations allow us to resolve the nebula into two distinct kinematic components: (1) a massive expanding torus seen almost edge-on and oriented in the North-South direction, roughly perpendicular to the optical nebula axis. The torus exhibits very complex and fragmentated structure; (2) high velocity molecular knots moving at high velocity, higher than 20 \kms, and located in the optical bipolar lobes. These knots show a linear position-velocity gradient (Hubble-like flow), which is characteristic of fast molecular outflow in young planetary nebulae. From the low but variable $^{12}$CO/$^{13}$CO $J$=2$-$1 line intensity ratio we conclude that the $^{12}$CO $J$=2$-$1 emission is optically thick over much of the nebula. Using the optically thinner line $^{13}$CO $J$=2$-$1 we estimate a total molecular gas mass of $\sim$ 0.1 M$_\odot$, comparable to the ionized gas mass; the total gas mass of the NGC 6302 nebula, including the massive ionized gas from photon dominated region, is found to be $\sim$ 0.5 M$_\odot$. From radiative transfer modelling we infer that the torus is seen at inclination angle of 75$^\circ$ with respect to the plane of the sky and expanding at velocity of 15 \kms. Comparison with recent observations of molecular gas in NGC 6302 is also discussed.

astro-ph↗

The Circumnuclear Molecular Gas in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC4945

We have mapped the central region of NGC 4945 in the $J=2\to1$ transition of $^{12}$CO, $^{13}$CO, and C$^{18}$O, as well as the continuum at 1.3 mm, at an angular resolution of $5\farc \times 3\farc$ with the Submillimeter Array. The relative proximity of NGC 4945 (distance of only 3.8 Mpc) permits a detailed study of the circumnuclear molecular gas and dust in a galaxy exhibiting both an AGN (classified as a Seyfert 2) and a circumnuclear starburst in an inclined ring with radius $\sim$2\farcs5 ($\sim$50 pc). We find that all three molecular lines trace an inclined rotating disk with major axis aligned with that of the starburst ring and large-scale galactic disk, and which exhibits solid-body rotation within a radius of $\sim$5\farc ($\sim$95 pc). We infer an inclination for the nuclear disk of $62^{\circ} \pm 2^{\circ}$, somewhat smaller than the inclination of the large-scale galactic disk of $\sim$$78^{\circ}$. The continuum emission at 1.3 mm also extends beyond the starburst ring, and is dominated by thermal emission from dust. If it traces the same dust emitting in the far-infrared, then the bulk of this dust must be heated by star-formation activity rather than the AGN. We discover a kinematically-decoupled component at the center of the disk with a radius smaller than $1\farcs4$ (27 pc), but which spans approximately the same range of velocities as the surrounding disk. This component has a higher density than its surroundings, and is a promising candidate for the circumnuclear molecular torus invoked by AGN unification models.

astro-ph↗

The molecular envelope around the red supergiant VY CMa

We present millimeter interferometric observations of the molecular envelope around the red supergiant VY CMa with the SubMillimeter Array (SMA). The high angular resolution (< 2'') allows us to derive the structure of the envelope as observed in the 1.3 mm continuum, 12CO(2-1), 13CO(2-1) and SO(6,5-5,4) lines emission. The circumstellar envelope is resolved into three components: a dense, compact and dusty central component, embedded in a more diffuse and extended envelope plus a high velocity component. We construct a simple model, consisting of a spherically symmetric slowly expanding envelope and bipolar outflows with a wide opening angle (~ 120 deg.) viewed close to the line of sight (i = 15 deg.). Our model can explain the main features of the SMA data and previous single-dish CO multi-line observations. An episode of enhanced mass loss along the bipolar direction is inferred from our modelling. The SMA data provide a better understanding of the complicated morphology seen in the optical/IR high resolution observations.

astro-ph↗

SMA CO(J=3-2) interferometric observations of the central region of M51

We present the first interferometric CO(J=3-2) observations (beam size of 3.9"x1.6" or 160pc x 65pc) with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) toward the center of the Seyfert 2 galaxy M51. The image shows a strong concentration at the nucleus and weak emission from the spiral arm to the northwest. The integrated intensity of the central component in CO(J=3-2) is almost twice as high as that in CO(J=1-0), indicating that the molecular gas within an ~80 pc radius of the nucleus is warm (>~100 K) and dense (~10^4 cm^-3). Similar intensity ratios are seen in shocked regions in our Galaxy, suggesting that these gas properties may be related to AGN or starburst activity. The central component shows a linear velocity gradient (~1.4 km/s/pc) perpendicular to the radio continuum jet, similar to that seen in previous observations and interpreted as a circumnuclear molecular disk/torus around the Seyfert 2 nucleus. In addition, we identify a linear velocity gradient (~0.7 km/s/pc) along the jet. Judging from the energetics, the velocity gradient can be explained by supernova explosions or energy and momentum transfer from the jet to the molecular gas via interaction, which is consistent with the high intensity ratio.

astro-ph↗

High velocity bipolar outflow and disk-like envelope in the carbon star V Hya

Using the partially completed Submillimeter Array with five antennas, we have observed the CO J=2-1 and 3-2 emission from the envelope surrounding the carbon star V Hya. The high-angular resolution (2"-4") maps show that V Hya is powering a bipolar molecular jet having an extreme velocity of 70-185 km/s. The axis of this high velocity jet is perpendicular to the major axis of the flattened disk-like envelope, which is expanding with a velocity of ~16 km/s.There is a third kinematic component, a medium-velocity wind having a deprojected velocity of 40-120 km/s moving along the disk plane. Both the high velocity jet and the medium velocity wind have a dynamical time scale of a few hundred years. The flattened structure and the collimated jet observed in V Hya suggests that the formation of asymmetrical structure proceeds while the central star is still in the AGB phase

astro-ph↗

Molecular Gas Reservoir in low-z Powerful Radio Galaxies

We report a survey for molecular gas in 3C radio galaxies at redshifts z < 0.031. Four of the twenty-three galaxies observed were detected with molecular gas masses in the range 10^7--10^9 Msun. The remainder had typical upper limits in molecular gas masses of ~10^8 Msun.

astro-ph↗

Molecular Gas in nearby Early-Type Powerful Classical Radio Galaxies

We report a survey for molecular gas in nearby powerful radio galaxies. Eight of the eighteen radio galaxies observed were detected with molecular masses in the range 10^7--10^9 Msun, similar to the same survey we performed towards 3C radio galaxies. The upper limits of molecular gas in the remainder are typically of 10^8 Msun, indicating that very few radiogalaxies have molecular gas reservoir with more than 10^9 Msun.

astro-ph↗