arXiv subjects

Friedrich Wyrowski

Publications and source records attributed to Friedrich Wyrowski.

88 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

APEX CO (9-8) Mapping of an Extremely High-Velocity and Jet-like Outflow in a High-Mass Star-Forming Region

Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) mapping observations in CO (9-8) and (4-3) toward a high-mass star-forming region, NGC 6334 I, are presented. The CO (9-8) map has a 6.4 arcsec resolution, revealing a ~0.5 pc, jet-like, and bipolar outflow. This is the first map of a molecular outflow in a THz line. The CO (9-8) and (4-3) lines arising from the outflow lobes both show extremely high-velocity line wings, and their ratios indicate a gas temperature greater than 100 K and a density higher than 10^4 cm^{-3}. The spatial-velocity structure of the CO (9-8) data is typical of a bow-shock-driven flow, which is consistent with the association between the bipolar outflow and the infrared bow-shaped tips. In short, the observations unveil a highly-excited and collimated component in a bipolar outflow that is powered by a high-mass protostar, and provide insights into the driving mechanism of the outflow. Meanwhile, the observations demonstrate that high-quality mapping observations can be performed with the new THz receiver on APEX.

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arXiv2011

The Millimeter Astronomy Legacy Team 90 GHz (MALT90) Pilot Survey

We describe a pilot survey conducted with the Mopra 22-m radio telescope in preparation for the Millimeter Astronomy Legacy Team Survey at 90 GHz (MALT90). We identified 182 candidate dense molecular clumps using six different selection criteria and mapped each source simultaneously in 16 different lines near 90 GHz. We present a summary of the data and describe how the results of the pilot survey shaped the design of the larger MALT90 survey. We motivate our selection of target sources for the main survey based on the pilot detection rates and demonstrate the value of mapping in multiple lines simultaneously at high spectral resolution.

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arXiv2011

Hot HCN around young massive stars at 0.1" resolution

Massive stars form deeply embedded in dense molecular gas, which they stir and heat up and ionize. During an early phase, the ionization is confined to hypercompact HII regions, and the stellar radiation is entirely absorbed by dust, giving rise to a hot molecular core. To investigate the innermost structure of such high-mass star-forming regions, we observed vibrationally excited HCN (via the direct $\ell$-type transition of v2=1, $ΔJ$=0, J=13, which lies 1400 K above ground) toward the massive hot molecular cores G10.47+0.03, SgrB2-N, and SgrB2-M with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 7 mm, reaching a resolution of about 1000 AU (0.1"). We detect the line both in emission and in absorption against HII regions. The latter allows to derive lower limits on the column densities of hot HCN, which are several times $10^{19}$ cm$^{-2}$. We see indication of expansion motions in G10.47+0.03 and detect velocity components in SgrB2-M at 50, 60, and 70 km/s relative to the Local Standard of Rest. The emission originates in regions of less than 0.1 pc diameter around the hypercompact HII regions G10.47+0.03 B1 and SgrB2-N K2, and reaches brightness temperatures of more than 200 K. Using the three-dimensional radiative transfer code RADMC-3D, we model the sources as dense dust cores heated by stars in the HII regions, and derive masses of hot (>300 K) molecular gas of more than 100 solar masses (for an HCN fractional abundance of 10$^{-5}$), challenging current simulations of massive star formation. Heating only by the stars in the HII regions is sufficient to produce such large quantities of hot molecular gas, provided that dust is optically thick to its own radiation, leading to high temperatures through diffusion of radiation.

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arXiv2011

High-angular resolution observations of methanol in the infrared dark cloud core G11.11-0.12P1

Recent studies suggest that infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) have the potential of harboring the earliest stages of massive star formation and indeed evidence for this is found toward distinct regions within them. We present a study with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer of a core in the archetypal filamentary IRDC G11.11-0.12 at few arcsecond resolution to determine its physical and chemical structure. The data consist of continuum and line observations covering the C34S 2-1 line and the methanol 2_k-1_k v_t=0 lines at 3mm and the methanol 5_k-4_k v_t =0 lines at 1mm. Our observations show extended emission in the continuum at 1 and 3 mm. The methanol 2_k-1_k v_t=0 emission presents three maxima extending over 1 pc scale (when merged with single-dish short-spacing observations); one of the maxima is spatially coincident with the continuum emission. The fitting results show enhanced methanol fractional abundance (~3x10^-8) at the central peak with respect to the other two peaks, where it decreases by about an order of magnitude (~4-6x10^-9). Evidence of extended 4.5 microns emission, "wings" in the CH3OH 2_k-1_k spectra, and CH3OH abundance enhancement point to the presence of an outflow in the East-West direction. In addition, we find a gradient of ~4 km/s in the same direction, which we interpret as being produced by an outflow(s)-cloud interaction.

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arXiv2010

Herschel-HIFI observations of H2O in high-mass star-forming regions: first results

This paper reviews the first results of observations of H2O line emission with Herschel-HIFI towards high-mass star-forming regions, obtained within the WISH guaranteed time program. The data reveal three kinds of gas-phase H2O: `cloud water' in cold tenuous foreground clouds, `envelope water' in dense protostellar envelopes, and `outflow water' in protostellar outflows. The low H2O abundance (1e-10 -- 1e-9) in foreground clouds and protostellar envelopes is due to rapid photodissociation and freeze-out on dust grains, respectively. The outflows show higher H2O abundances (1e-7 -- 1e-6) due to grain mantle evaporation and (probably) neutral-neutral reactions.

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arXiv2010

First results from VLTI near-infrared interferometry on high-mass young stellar objects

Due to the recent dramatic technological advances, infrared interferometry can now be applied to new classes of objects, resulting in exciting new science prospects, for instance, in the area of high-mass star formation. Although extensively studied at various wavelengths, the process through which massive stars form is still only poorly understood. For instance, it has been proposed that massive stars might form like low-mass stars by mass accretion through a circumstellar disk/envelope, or otherwise by coalescence in a dense stellar cluster. After discussing the technological challenges which result from the special properties of these objects, we present first near-infrared interferometric observations, which we obtained on the massive YSO IRAS 13481-6124 using VLTI/AMBER infrared long-baseline interferometry and NTT speckle interferometry. From our extensive data set, we reconstruct a model-independent aperture synthesis image which shows an elongated structure with a size of 13x19 AU, consistent with a disk seen under an inclination of 45 degree. The measured wavelength-dependent visibilities and closure phases allow us to derive the radial disk temperature gradient and to detect a dust-free region inside of 9.5 AU from the star, revealing qualitative and quantitative similarities with the disks observed in low-mass star formation. In complementary mid-infrared Spitzer and sub-millimeter APEX imaging observations we detect two bow shocks and a molecular out ow which are oriented perpendicular to the disk plane and indicate the presence of a bipolar outflow emanating from the inner regions of the system.

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arXiv2010

A hot compact dust disk around a massive young stellar object

Circumstellar disks are an essential ingredient of the formation of low-mass stars. It is unclear, however, whether the accretion-disk paradigm can also account for the formation of stars more massive than about 10 solar masses, in which strong radiation pressure might halt mass infall. Massive stars may form by stellar merging, although more recent theoretical investigations suggest that the radiative-pressure limit may be overcome by considering more complex, nonspherical infall geometries. Clear observational evidence, such as the detection of compact dusty disks around massive young stellar objects, is needed to identify unambiguously the formation mode of the most massive stars. Here we report near-infrared interferometric observations that spatially resolve the astronomical unit-scale distribution of hot material around a high-mass (approx. 20 solar masses) young stellar object. The image shows an elongated structure with a size of about 13 x 19 astronomical units, consistent with a disk seen at an inclination angle of 45 degree. Using geometric and detailed physical models, we found a radial temperature gradient in the disk, with a dust-free region less than 9.5 astronomical units from the star, qualitatively and quantitatively similar to the disks observed in low-mass star formation. Perpendicular to the disk plane we observed a molecular outflow and two bow shocks, indicating that a bipolar outflow emanates from the inner regions of the system.

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arXiv2010

Circumstellar molecular composition of the oxygen-rich AGB star IK Tau: I. Observations and LTE chemical abundance analysis

The aim of this paper is to study the molecular composition in the circumstellar envelope around the oxygen-rich star IK Tau. We observed IK Tau in several (sub)millimeter bands using the APEX telescope during three observing periods. To determine the spatial distribution of the $\mathrm{^{12}CO(3-2)}$ emission, mapping observations were performed. To constrain the physical conditions in the circumstellar envelope, multiple rotational CO emission lines were modeled using a non local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer code. The rotational temperatures and the abundances of the other molecules were obtained assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium. An oxygen-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch star has been surveyed in the submillimeter wavelength range. Thirty four transitions of twelve molecular species, including maser lines, were detected. The kinetic temperature of the envelope was determined and the molecular abundance fractions of the molecules were estimated. The deduced molecular abundances were compared with observations and modeling from the literature and agree within a factor of 10, except for SO$_2$, which is found to be almost a factor 100 stronger than predicted by chemical models. From this study, we found that IK Tau is a good laboratory to study the conditions in circumstellar envelopes around oxygen-rich stars with (sub)millimeter-wavelength molecular lines. We could also expect from this study that the molecules in the circumstellar envelope can be explained more faithful by non-LTE analysis with lower and higher transition lines than by simple LTE analysis with only lower transition lines. In particular, the observed CO line profiles could be well reproduced by a simple expanding envelope model with a power law structure.

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arXiv2007

Initial conditions for massive star formation

In this contribution, our knowledge of the initial conditions under which massive star formation takes place is reviewed. Massive stars are born in massive clumps of giant molecular clouds (GMCs), hence first the properties of GMCs are summarized. As a potentially early stage of molecular clouds, infrared dark clouds have been discovered a decade ago as dark patches in mid-infrared (MIR) images of the Galactic plane and many studies of the physical conditions within them have been conducted recently. Without the guidance of MIR absorption, large scale, unbiased cold dust surveys can be used as well to identify massive cold clumps. In the absence of indicators of ongoing massive star formation, like compact HII regions and bright IR sources, these clumps are the most promising objects for the study of the initial conditions of massive star formation. Current observational approaches to find IR quiet clumps and their physical and chemical properties are summarized.

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arXiv2007

Hot Cores in the submm - obscured by dust?

We present APEX observations of HCN (9-8) and (4-3) lines toward a sample of hot cores. The spectral shapes of the main transitions are asymmetric and self-absorbed, as expected for high optical depth in a possibly infalling envelope. For spherical symmetry, the large column densities of these sources would mean that the central region is obscured by dust above a certain frequency. However, we detected the vibrationally excited satellite lines (v_2=1; J=9-8) at 797 GHz, which originate from the inner regions. This indicates that high-frequency ALMA observations of hot core centers will be feasible.

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arXiv2007

A Jet-like Outflow toward the High-Mass (Proto)stellar Object IRAS 18566+0408

We performed interferometric observations of a high-mass protostellar candidate IRAS 18566+0408 in the \nh3 (J,K)=(1,1), (2,2) and (3,3) inversion transitions, the SiO J=2-1 and HCN J=1-0 lines, and the 43 and 87 GHz continuum emission using the VLA and OVRO. The 87 GHz continuum emission reveals two continuum peaks MM-1 and MM-2 along a molecular ridge. The dominant peak MM-1 coincides with a compact emission feature at 43 GHz, and arises mostly from the dust emission. For dust emissivity index $β$ of 1.3, the masses in the dust peaks amount to 70 \msun for MM-1, and 27 \msun for MM-2. Assuming internal heating, the central luminosities of MM-1 and MM-2 are $6 \times 10^4$ and $8 \times 10^3$ \lsun, respectively. The SiO emission reveals a well collimated outflow emanating from MM-1. The jet-like outflow is also detected in \nh3 at velocities similar to the SiO emission. The outflow, with a mass of 27 \msun, causes significant heating in the gas to temperatures of 70 K, much higher than the temperature of $\lsim 15$ K in the extended core. Compact ($< 3''$) and narrow line ($<1.5$ \kms-1) \nh3 (3,3) emission features are found associated with the outflow. They likely arise from weak population inversion in \nh3 similar to the maser emission. Toward MM-1, there is a compact \nh3 structure with a linewidth that increases from 5.5 \kms-1 FHWM measured at 3$''$ resolution to 8.7 \kms-1\ measured at 1$''$ resolution. This linewidth is much larger than the FWHM of $<$ 2 \kms-1 in the entire core, and does not appear to originate from the outflow. This large linewidth may arise from rotation/infall, or relative motions of unresolved protostellar cores.

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arXiv2006

Ammonia in Infrared Dark Clouds

Infrared Dark Clouds appear to be the long sought population of cold and dense aggregations with the potential of harbouring the earliest stages of massive star formation. Up to now there has been no systematic study on the temperature distribution, velocity fields, chemical and physical state toward this new cloud population. Knowing these properties is crucial for understanding the presence, absence and the very potential of star formation. The present paper aims at addressing these questions. We analyse temperature structures and velocity fields and gain information on their chemical evolution. The gas emission is remarkably coextensive with the extinction seen at infrared wavelengths and with the submillimeter dust emission. Our results show that IRDCs are on average cold (T < 20 K) and have variations among the different cores. IRDC cores are in virial equilibrium, are massive (M > 100 M_sun), highly turbulent (1 -- 3 km/s) and exhibit significant velocity structure (variations around 1 -- 2 km/s over the cloud). We find an increasing trend in temperature from IRDCs with high ammonia column density to high mass protostellar objects and hot core/Ultracompact Hii regions stages of early warm high-mass star formation while linewidths of IRDCs are smaller. On the basis of this sample, we infer that while active star formation is not yet pervasive in most IRDCs, local condensations might collapse in the future or have already begun forming stars.

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arXiv2005

High mass star formation in the infrared dark cloud G11.11-0.12

We report detection of moderate to high-mass star formation in an infrared dark cloud (G11.11-0.12) where we discovered class II methanol and water maser emissions at 6.7 GHz and 22.2 GHz, respectively. We also observed the object in ammonia inversion transitions. Strong emission from the (3,3) line indicates a hot (~60 K) compact component associated with the maser emission. The line width of the hot component (4 km/s), as well as the methanol maser detection, are indicative of high mass star formation. To further constrain the physical parameters of the source, we derived the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the dust continuum by analysing data from the 2MASS survey, HIRAS, MSX, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and interferometric 3mm observations. The SED was modelled in a radiative transfer program: a) the stellar luminosity equals 1200 L_sun corresponding to a ZAMS star of 8 M_sun; b) the bulk of the envelope has a temperature of 19 K; c) the mass of the remnant protostellar cloud in an area 8x10^17 cm or 15 arcsec across amounts to 500M_sun, if assuming standard dust of the diffuse medium, and to about 60 M_sun, should the grains be fluffy and have ice mantles; d) the corresponding visual extinction towards the star is a few hundred magnitudes. The near IR data can be explained by scattering from tenuous material above a hypothetical disk. The class II methanol maser lines are spread out in velocity over 11 km/s. To explain the kinematics of the masing spots, we propose that they are located in a Kepler disk at a distance of about 250 AU. The dust temperatures there are around 150 K, high enough to evaporate methanol--containing ice mantles.

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arXiv2003

A search for disks around massive young stellar objects

We present subarcsecond observations at 2.7 and 1.4 mm of a sample of massive young stellar objects made with the BIMA millimetre array. For most sources the continuum emission on the smallest scales at 2.7 mm is dominated by free-free emission from the stellar wind or jet. Strong emission at 1.4 mm shows the presence of significant dust associated with Cep A and GL 490 but our resolution is not sufficient to resolve any structure. The 2.7-mm emission from GL 490 is resolved but it is not clear whether we are seeing a single circumstellar disk or a secondary companion, although near-infrared data support the disk hypothesis. Estimates of the dust mass yield values of ~1--4 Msun within radii of 150 to 1000 AU.

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arXiv1999

Hot gas and dust in a protostellar cluster near W3(OH

We used the IRAM Interferometer to obtain sub-arcsecond resolution observations of the high-mass star-forming region W3(OH) and its surroundings at a frequency of 220 GHz. With the improved angular resolution, we distinguish 3 peaks in the thermal dust continuum emission originating from the hot core region about 6 arcsec (0.06 pc) east of W3(OH). The dust emission peaks are coincident with known radio continuum sources, one of which is of non-thermal nature. The latter source is also at the center of expansion of a powerful bipolar outflow observed in water maser emission. We determine the hot core mass to be 15 solar masses based on the integrated dust continuum emission. Simultaneously many molecular lines are detected allowing the analysis of the temperature structure and the distribution of complex organic molecules in the hot core. From HNCO lines, spanning a wide range of excitation, two 200 K temperature peaks are found coincident with dust continuum emission peaks suggesting embedded heating sources within them.

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arXiv1997

Molecular gas in the elliptical galaxy NGC759. Interferometric CO observations

Interferometric observations of the CO(1-0) line in the elliptical galaxy NGC759 shows that it contains 2 10^9 Mo of molecular gas, confined to a circumnuclear ring with an average radius of only 650pc. The maximum gas surface density is 750 Mo/pc^2, which is comparable to the critical gas surface density for large scale gravitational instabilities. The low CO(2-1)/CO(1-0) ratio of 0.4 is consistent with a two-component molecular gas, consisting of a cold and dense phase, containing most of the mass, and a warm and diffuse component dominating the CO emission. We use a mass model for the underlying galaxy which is applicable to spherical galaxies with an r^1/4 luminosity profile. This leads to more modest estimates of the molecular gas fraction and gas surface density then would have been derived using simpler models, suggesting that many of the spectacular molecular gas properties of ultraluminous FIR galaxies, which could be described by similar mass models, may have to be revised. We discuss the possibility that NGC759 is in a late stage of a merging between two gas-rich disk galaxies.

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