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J. Pety

Publications and source records attributed to J. Pety.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

HCO, c-C3H and CF+ : three new molecules in diffuse, translucent and "spiral-arm'' clouds

%methods {We used the EMIR receiver and FTS spectrometer at the IRAM 30m to construct absorption spectra toward bright extra-galactic background sources at 195 kHz spectral resolution ($\approx$ 0.6 \kms). We used the IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer to synthesize absorption spectra of \hthcop\ and HCO toward the galactic HII region W49.} %results {HCO, \cc3h\ and CF\p\ were detected toward the blazars \bll\ and 3C111 having \EBV\ = 0.32 and 1.65 mag. HCO was observed in absorption from ``spiral-arm'' clouds in the galactic plane occulting W49. The complement of detectable molecular species in the 85 - 110 GHz absorption spectrum of diffuse/translucent gas is now fully determined at rms noise level $δ_τ\approx 0.002$ at \EBV\ = 0.32 mag (\AV\ = 1 mag) and $δ_τ$/\EBV\ $\approx\ 0.003$ mag$^{-1}$ overall.} %conclusions {As with OH, \hcop\ and \cch, the relative abundance of \cc3h\ varies little between diffuse and dense molecular gas, with N(\cc3h)/N({\it o-c}-\c3h2) $\approx$ 0.1. We find N(CF\p)/N(H$^{13}$CO\p) $\approx 5$, N(CF\p)/N(\cch) $\approx$ 0.005-0.01 and because N(CF\p) increases with \EBV\ and with the column densities of other molecules we infer that fluorine remains in the gas phase as HF well beyond \AV\ = 1 mag. We find N(HCO)/N(H$^{13}$CO\p) = 16 toward \bll, 3C111 and the 40 km/s spiral arm cloud toward W49, implying X(HCO) $\approx 10^{-9}$, about 10 times higher than in dark clouds. The behaviour of HCO is consistent with previous suggestions that it forms from C\p\ and \HH, even when \AV\ is well above 1 mag. The survey can be used to place useful upper limits on some species, for instance N(\hhco)/N(\HH CS) $>$ 32 toward 3C111, compared to 7 toward TMC-1, confirming the possibility of a gas phase formation route to \hhco.}

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Kinematics of the ionized-to-neutral interfaces in Monoceros R2

Context. Monoceros R2 (Mon R2), at a distance of 830 pc, is the only ultra-compact H ii region (UC H ii) where its associated photon-dominated region (PDR) can be resolved with the Herschel Space Observatory. Aims. Our aim is to investigate observationally the kinematical patterns in the interface regions (i.e., the transition from atomic to molecular gas) associated with Mon R2. Methods. We used the HIFI instrument onboard Herschel to observe the line profiles of the reactive ions CH+, OH+ and H2O+ toward different positions in Mon R2. We derive the column density of these molecules and compare them with gas-phase chemistry models. Results. The reactive ion CH+ is detected both in emission (at central and red-shifted velocities) and in absorption (at blue-shifted velocities). OH+ is detected in absorption at both blue- and red-shifted velocities, with similar column densities. H2O+ is not detected at any of the positions, down to a rms of 40 mK toward the molecular peak. At this position, we find that the OH+ absorption originates in a mainly atomic medium, and therefore is associated with the most exposed layers of the PDR. These results are consistent with the predictions from photo-chemical models. The line profiles are consistent with the atomic gas being entrained in the ionized gas flow along the walls of the cavity of the H ii region. Based on this evidence, we are able to propose a new geometrical model for this region. Conclusions. The kinematical patterns of the OH+ and CH+ absorption indicate the existence of a layer of mainly atomic gas for which we have derived, for the first time, some physical parameters and its dynamics.

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The IRAM-30m line survey of the Horsehead PDR: IV. Comparative chemistry of H2CO and CH3OH

Aims. We investigate the dominant formation mechanism of H2CO and CH3OH in the Horsehead PDR and its associated dense core. Methods. We performed deep integrations of several H2CO and CH3OH lines at two positions in the Horsehead, namely the PDR and dense core, with the IRAM-30m telescope. In addition, we observed one H2CO higher frequency line with the CSO telescope at both positions. We determine the H2CO and CH3OH column densities and abundances from the single-dish observations complemented with IRAM-PdBI high-angular resolution maps (6") of both species. We compare the observed abundances with PDR models including either pure gas-phase chemistry or both gas-phase and grain surface chemistry. Results. We derive CH3OH abundances relative to total number of hydrogen atoms of ~1.2e-10 and ~2.3e-10 in the PDR and dense core positions, respectively. These abundances are similar to the inferred H2CO abundance in both positions (~2e-10). We find an abundance ratio H2CO/CH3OH of ~2 in the PDR and ~1 in the dense core. Pure gas-phase models cannot reproduce the observed abundances of either H2CO or CH3OH at the PDR position. Both species are therefore formed on the surface of dust grains and are subsequently photodesorbed into the gas-phase at this position. At the dense core, on the other hand, photodesorption of ices is needed to explain the observed abundance of CH3OH, while a pure gas-phase model can reproduce the observed H2CO abundance. The high-resolution observations show that CH3OH is depleted onto grains at the dense core. CH3OH is thus present in an envelope around this position, while H2CO is present in both the envelope and the dense core itself. Conclusions. Photodesorption is an efficient mechanism to release complex molecules in low FUV-illuminated PDRs, where thermal desorption of ice mantles is ineffective.

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The IRAM-30m line survey of the Horsehead PDR: III. High abundance of complex (iso-)nitrile molecules in UV-illuminated gas

Complex (iso-)nitrile molecules, such as CH3CN and HC3N, are relatively easily detected in our Galaxy and in other galaxies. We constrain their chemistry through observations of two positions in the Horsehead edge: the photo-dissociation region (PDR) and the dense, cold, and UV-shielded core just behind it. We systematically searched for lines of CH3CN, HC3N, C3N, and some of their isomers in our sensitive unbiased line survey at 3, 2, and 1mm. We derived column densities and abundances through Bayesian analysis using a large velocity gradient radiative transfer model. We report the first clear detection of CH3NC at millimeter wavelength. We detected 17 lines of CH3CN at the PDR and 6 at the dense core position, and we resolved its hyperfine structure for 3 lines. We detected 4 lines of HC3N, and C3N is clearly detected at the PDR position. We computed new electron collisional rate coefficients for CH3CN, and we found that including electron excitation reduces the derived column density by 40% at the PDR position. While CH3CN is 30 times more abundant in the PDR than in the dense core, HC3N has similar abundance at both positions. The isomeric ratio CH3NC/CH3CN is 0.15+-0.02. In the case of CH3CN, pure gas phase chemistry cannot reproduce the amount of CH3CN observed in the UV-illuminated gas. We propose that CH3CN gas phase abundance is enhanced when ice mantles of grains are destroyed through photo-desorption or thermal-evaporation in PDRs, and through sputtering in shocks. (abridged)

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The Plateau de Bure + 30m Arcsecond Whirlpool Survey reveals a thick disk of diffuse molecular gas in the M51 galaxy

We present the data of the Plateau de Bure Arcsecond Whirlpool Survey (PAWS), a high spatial and spectral resolution 12CO(1-0) line survey of the inner 10 x 6 kpc of the M51 system, and the first wide-field imaging of molecular gas in a star-forming spiral galaxy with resolution matched to the typical size of Giant Molecular Clouds (40 pc). We describe the observation, reduction, and combination of the Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) and IRAM-30m "short spacing" data. The final data cube attains 1.1"-resolution over the 270" x 170" field of view, with sensitivity to all spatial scales from the combination of PdBI and IRAM-30m data, and brightness sensitivity of 0.4 K (1 sigma) in each 5 km/s-wide channel map. We find a CO-luminosity of 9.10^8 K km/s pc^2, corresponding to a molecular gas mass of 4.10^9 Msol for a standard CO-to-H2 conversion factor. Unexpectedly, we find that a large fraction, (50 +/- 10)%, of this emission arises mostly from spatial scales larger than 36" or about 1.3 kpc. Through a series of tests, we demonstrate that this extended emission does not result from a processing artifact. We discuss its origin in light of the stellar component, the 12CO/13CO ratio, and the difference between the kinematics and structure of the PdBI-only and hybrid synthesis (PdBI + IRAM-30m) images. The extended emission is consistent with a thick, diffuse disk of molecular gas with a typical scale height of about 200 pc, substructured in unresolved filaments which fills about 0.1% of the volume.

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Spatial distribution of small hydrocarbons in the neighborhood of the Ultra Compact HII region Monoceros R2

We study the chemistry of small hydrocarbons in the photon-dominated regions (PDRs) associated with the ultra-compact HII region Mon R2. Our goal is to determine the variations of the abundance of small hydrocarbons in a high-UV irradiated PDR and investigate their chemistry. We present an observational study of CH, CCH and c-C$_3$H$_2$ in Mon R2 combining data obtained with the IRAM 30m telescope and Herschel. We determine the column densities of these species, and compare their spatial distributions with that of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). We compare the observational results with different chemical models to explore the relative importance of gas-phase, grain-surface and time-dependent chemistry in these environments. The emission of the small hydrocarbons show different patterns. The CCH emission is extended while CH and c-C$_3$H$_2$ are concentrated towards the more illuminated layers of the PDR. The ratio of the column densities of c-C$_3$H$_2$ and CCH shows spatial variations up to a factor of a few, increasing from $N(c-C$_3$H$_2$)/N(CCH)\approx0.004$ in the envelope to a maximum of $\sim0.015-0.029$ towards the 8$μ$m emission peak. Comparing these results with other galactic PDRs, we find that the abundance of CCH is quite constant over a wide range of G$_0$, whereas the abundance of c-C$_3$H$_2$ is higher in low-UV PDRs. In Mon R2, the gas-phase steady-state chemistry can account relatively well for the abundances of CH and CCH in the most exposed layers of the PDR, but falls short by a factor of 10 to reproduce c-C$_3$H$_2$. In the molecular envelope, time-dependent effects and grain surface chemistry play a dominant role in determining the hydrocarbons abundances. Our study shows that CCH and c-C$_3$H$_2$ present a complex chemistry in which UV photons, grain-surface chemistry and time dependent effects contribute to determine their abundances.

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The hyperfine structure in the rotational spectrum of CF+

Context. CF+ has recently been detected in the Horsehead and Orion Bar photo-dissociation regions. The J=1-0 line in the Horsehead is double-peaked in contrast to other millimeter lines. The origin of this double-peak profile may be kinematic or spectroscopic. Aims. We investigate the effect of hyperfine interactions due to the fluorine nucleus in CF+ on the rotational transitions. Methods. We compute the fluorine spin rotation constant of CF+ using high-level quantum chemical methods and determine the relative positions and intensities of each hyperfine component. This information is used to fit the theoretical hyperfine components to the observed CF+ line profiles, thereby employing the hyperfine fitting method in GILDAS. Results. The fluorine spin rotation constant of CF+ is 229.2 kHz. This way, the double-peaked CF+ line profiles are well fitted by the hyperfine components predicted by the calculations. The unusually large hyperfine splitting of the CF+ line therefore explains the shape of the lines detected in the Horsehead nebula, without invoking intricate kinematics in the UV-illuminated gas.

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Herschel / HIFI observations of CO, H2O and NH3 in Mon R2

Context. Mon R2 is the only ultracompact HII region (UCHII) where the associated photon-dominated region (PDR) can be resolved with Herschel. Due to its brightness and proximity, it is the best source to investigate the chemistry and physics of highly UV-irradiated PDRs. Aims. Our goal is to estimate the abundance of H2O and NH3 in this region and investigate their origin. Methods. We present new observations obtained with HIFI and the IRAM-30m telescope. Using a large velocity gradient approach, we model the line intensities and derive an average abundance of H2O and NH3 across the region. Finally, we model the line profiles with a non-local radiative transfer model and compare these results with the abundance predicted by the Meudon PDR code. Results. The variations of the line profiles and intensities indicate complex geometrical and kinematical patterns. The H2O lines present a strong absorption at the ambient velocity and emission in high velocity wings towards the HII region. The spatial distribution of the o-H2^18O line shows that the its emission arises in the PDR surrounding the HII region. By modeling the o-H2^18O emission we derive a mean abundance of o-H2O of ~10^-8 relative to H2. The ortho-H2O abundance is however larger, ~1x10^-7, in the high velocity wings. Possible explanations for this larger abundance include an expanding hot PDR and/or an outflow. Ammonia seems to be present only in the envelope with an average abundance of ~2x10^-9 relative to H2. Conclusions. The Meudon PDR code can account for the measured water abundance in the high velocity gas as long as we assume that it originates from a <1 mag hot expanding layer of the PDR, i.e. that the outflow has only a minor contribution to this emission. To explain the abundances in the rest of the cloud the molecular freeze out and grain surface chemistry would need to be included.

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The IRAM-30m line survey of the Horsehead PDR: I. CF+ as a tracer of C+ and a measure of the Fluorine abundance

C+ is a key species in the interstellar medium but its 158 μm fine structure line cannot be observed from ground-based telescopes. Current models of fluorine chemistry predict that CF+ is the second most important fluorine reservoir, in regions where C+ is abundant. We detected the J = 1-0 and J = 2-1 rotational lines of CF+ with high signal-to-noise ratio towards the PDR and dense core positions in the Horsehead. Using a rotational diagram analysis, we derive a column density of N(CF+) = (1.5 - 2.0) \times 10^12 cm^-2. Because of the simple fluorine chemistry, the CF+ column density is proportional to the fluorine abundance. We thus infer the fluorine gas-phase abundance to be F/H = (0.6 - 1.5) \times 10^-8. Photochemical models indicate that CF+ is found in the layers where C+ is abundant. The emission arises in the UV illuminated skin of the nebula, tracing the outermost cloud layers. Indeed, CF+ and C+ are the only species observed to date in the Horsehead with a double peaked line profile caused by kinematics. We therefore propose that CF+, which is detectable from the ground, can be used as a proxy of the C+ layers.

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Spectral line survey of the ultracompact HII region Mon R2

Ultracompact (UC) HII regions constitute one of the earliest phases in the formation of a massive star and are characterized by extreme physical conditions (Go>10^5 Habing field and n>10^6 cm^-3). The UC HII Mon R2 is the closest one and therefore an excellent target to study the chemistry in these complex regions. We carried out a 3mm and 1mm spectral survey using the IRAM 30-m telescope towards three positions that represent different physical environments in Mon R2: (i) the ionization front (IF) at (0",0"); two peaks in the molecular cloud (ii) MP1 at the offset (+15",-15") and (iii) MP2 at the farther offset (0",40"). In addition, we carried out extensive modeling to explain the chemical differences between the three observed regions. We detected more than thirty different species. We detected SO+ and C4H suggesting that UV radiation plays an important role in the molecular chemistry of this region. We detected the typical PDR molecules CN, HCN, HCO, C2H, and c-C3H2. While the IF and the MP1 have a chemistry similar to that found in high UV field and dense PDRs like the Orion Bar, the MP2 is more similar to lower UV/density PDRs like the Horsehead nebula. We also detected complex molecules that are not usually found in PDRs (CH3CN, H2CO, HC3N, CH3OH and CH3C2H). Sulfur compounds CS, HCS+, C2S, H2CS, SO and SO2 and the deuterated species DCN and C2D were also identified. [DCN]/[HCN]=0.03 and [C2D]/[C2H]=0.05, are among the highest in warm regions. Our results show that the high UV/dense PDRs present a different chemistry from that of the low UV case. Abundance ratios like [CO+]/[HCO+] or [HCO]/[HCO+] are good diagnostics to differentiate between them. In Mon R2 we have the two classes of PDRs, a high UV PDR towards the IF and the adjacent molecular bar and a low-UV PDR which extends towards the north-west following the border of the cloud.

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Imaging diffuse clouds: Bright and dark gas mapped in CO

We wish to relate the degree scale structure of galactic diffuse clouds to sub-arcsecond atomic and molecular absorption spectra obtained against extragalactic continuum background sources. To do this, we used the ARO 12m telescope to map J=1-0 CO emission at 1' resolution over 30' fields around the positions of 11 background sources occulted by 20 molecular absorption line components, of which 11 had CO emission counterparts. We compare maps of CO emission to sub-arcsec atomic and molecular absorption spectra and to the large-scale distribution of interstellar reddening. The main results are: 1) Typical covering factors of individual features at the 1 K.km/s level were 20%. 2) CO-H2 conversion factors as much as 4-5 times below the mean value N(H2)/Wco = 2e20 H2 cm^-2 /(K.km/s) are required to explain the luminosity of CO emission at/above the level of 1 K.km/s. Small conversion factors and sharp variability of the conversion factor on arcminute scales are due primarily to CO chemistry and need not represent unresolved variations in reddening or total column density. Hence, like FERMI and PLANCK we see some gas that is dark in CO and other gas in which CO is overluminous per H2. A standard CO-H2 conversion factor applies overall owing to balance between the luminosities per H2 and surface covering factors of bright and dark CO., but with wide variations.

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H2CO in the Horsehead PDR: Photo-desorption of dust grain ice mantles

Aims: For the first time we investigate the role of the grain surface chemistry in the Horsehead Photo-dissociation region (PDR). Methods: We performed deep observations of several H2CO rotational lines toward the PDR and its associated dense-core in the Horsehead nebula, where the dust is cold ($\Td \simeq 20-30$ K). We complemented these observations with a map of the p-H2CO $~3_{03}-2_{02}$ line at 218.2 GHz (with 12" angular resolution). We determine the H2CO abundances using a detailed radiative transfer analysis and compare these results with PDR models that include either pure gas-phase chemistry or both gas-phase and grain surface chemistry. Results: The H2CO abundances ($\simeq 2-3 \times 10^{-10}$) with respect to H-nuclei are similar in the PDR and dense-core. In the dense-core the pure gas-phase chemistry model reproduces the observed H2CO abundance. Thus, surface processes do not contribute significantly to the gas-phase H2CO abundance in the core. In contrast, the formation of H2CO on the surface of dust grains and subsequent photo-desorption into the gas-phase are needed in the PDR to explain the observed gas-phase H2CO abundance, because the gas-phase chemistry alone does not produce enough H2CO. The assignments of different formation routes are strengthen by the different measured ortho-to-para ratio of H2CO: the dense-core displays the equilibrium value ($\sim3$) while the PDR displays an out-of-equilibrium value ($\sim2$). Conclusions: Photo-desorption of H2CO ices is an efficient mechanism to release a significant amount of gas-phase H2CO into the Horsehead PDR.

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Weeds: a CLASS extension for the analysis of millimeter and sub-millimeter spectral surveys

The advent of large instantaneous bandwidth receivers and high spectral resolution spectrometers on (sub-)millimeter telescopes has opened up the possibilities for unbiased spectral surveys. Because of the large amount of data they contain, any analysis of these surveys requires dedicated software tools. Here we present an extension of the widely used CLASS software that we developed to that purpose. This extension, named Weeds, allows for searches in atomic and molecular lines databases (e.g. JPL or CDMS) that may be accessed over the internet using a virtual observatory (VO) compliant protocol. The package permits a quick navigation across a spectral survey to search for lines of a given species. Weeds is also capable of modeling a spectrum, as often needed for line identification. We expect that Weeds will be useful for analyzing and interpreting the spectral surveys that will be done with the HIFI instrument on board Herschel, but also observations carried-out with ground based millimeter and sub-millimeter telescopes and interferometers, such as IRAM-30m and Plateau de Bure, CARMA, SMA, eVLA, and ALMA.

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Herschel observations in the ultracompact HII region Mon R2: Water in dense Photon-dominated regions (PDRs)

Mon R2, at a distance of 830 pc, is the only ultracompact HII region (UC HII) where the photon-dominated region (PDR) between the ionized gas and the molecular cloud can be resolved with Herschel. HIFI observations of the abundant compounds 13CO, C18O, o-H2-18O, HCO+, CS, CH, and NH have been used to derive the physical and chemical conditions in the PDR, in particular the water abundance. The 13CO, C18O, o-H2-18O, HCO+ and CS observations are well described assuming that the emission is coming from a dense (n=5E6 cm-3, N(H2)>1E22 cm-2) layer of molecular gas around the UC HII. Based on our o-H2-18O observations, we estimate an o-H2O abundance of ~2E-8. This is the average ortho-water abundance in the PDR. Additional H2-18O and/or water lines are required to derive the water abundance profile. A lower density envelope (n~1E5 cm-3, N(H2)=2-5E22 cm-2) is responsible for the absorption in the NH 1_1-0_2 line. The emission of the CH ground state triplet is coming from both regions with a complex and self-absorbed profile in the main component. The radiative transfer modeling shows that the 13CO and HCO+ line profiles are consistent with an expansion of the molecular gas with a velocity law, v_e =0.5 x (r/Rout)^{-1} km/s, although the expansion velocity is poorly constrained by the observations presented here.

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H2CO and CH3OH maps of the Orion Bar photodissociation region

A previous analysis of methanol and formaldehyde towards the Orion Bar concluded that the two molecular species may trace different physical components, methanol the clumpy material, and formaldehyde the interclump medium. To verify this hypothesis, we performed multi-line mapping observations of the two molecules to study their spatial distributions. The observations were performed with the IRAM-30m telescope at 218 and 241 GHz, with an angular resolution of ~11''. Additional data for H2CO from the Plateau de Bure array are also discussed. The data were analysed using an LVG approach. Both molecules are detected in our single-dish data. Our data show that CH3OH peaks towards the clumps of the Bar, but its intensity decreases below the detection threshold in the interclump material. When averaging over a large region of the interclump medium, the strongest CH3OH line is detected with a peak intensity of ~0.06K. Formaldehyde also peaks on the clumps, but it is also detected in the interclump gas. We verified that the weak intensity of CH3OH in the interclump medium is not caused by the different excitation conditions of the interclump material, but reflects a decrease in the column density of methanol. The abundance of CH3OH relative to H2CO decreases by at least one order of magnitude from the dense clumps to the interclump medium.

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Intermittency of interstellar turbulence: extreme velocity-shears and CO emission on milliparsec scale

The condensation of diffuse gas into molecular clouds occurs at a rate driven largely by turbulent dissipation. This process still has to be caught in action and characterized. A mosaic of 13 fields was observed in the CO(1-0) line with the IRAM-PdB interferometer in the translucent environment of two low-mass dense cores. The large size of the mosaic compared to the resolution (4 arcsec) is unprecedented in the study of the small-scale structure of diffuse molecular gas. Eight weak and elongated structures of thicknesses as small as 3 mpc (600 AU) and lengths up to 70mpc are found. These are not filaments because once merged with short-spacing data, they appear as the sharp edges of larger-scale structures. Six out of eight form quasi-parallel pairs at different velocities and different position angles. This cannot be the result of chance alignment. The velocity-shears estimated for the three pairs include the highest ever measured far from star forming regions (780 km/s/pc). Because the large scale structures have sharp edges, with little or no overlap, they have to be thin CO-layers. Their edges mark a sharp transition between a CO-rich component and a gas undetected in the CO line because of its low CO abundance, presumably the cold neutral medium. We propose that these sharp edges are the first directly-detected manifestations of the intermittency of interstellar turbulence. The large velocity-shears reveal an intense straining field, responsible for a local dissipation rate several orders of magnitude above average, possibly at the origin of the thin CO-layers.

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The ionization fraction gradient across the Horsehead edge: An archetype for molecular clouds

The ionization fraction plays a key role in the chemistry and dynamics of molecular clouds. We study the H13CO+, DCO+ and HOC+ line emission towards the Horsehead, from the shielded core to the UV irradiated cloud edge, i.e., the Photodissociation Region (PDR), as a template to investigate the ionization fraction gradient in molecular clouds. We analyze a PdBI map of the H13CO+ J=1-0 line, complemented with IRAM-30m H13CO+ and DCO+ higher-J line maps and new HOC+ and CO+ observations. We compare self-consistently the observed spatial distribution and line intensities with detailed depth-dependent predictions of a PDR model coupled with a nonlocal radiative transfer calculation. The chemical network includes deuterated species, 13C fractionation reactions and HCO+/HOC+ isomerization reactions. The role of neutral and charged PAHs in the cloud chemistry and ionization balance is investigated. The detection of HOC+ reactive ion towards the Horsehead PDR proves the high ionization fraction of the outer UV irradiated regions, where we derive a low [HCO+]/[HOC+]~75-200 abundance ratio. In the absence of PAHs, we reproduce the observations with gas-phase metal abundances, [Fe+Mg+...], lower than 4x10(-9) (with respect to H) and a cosmic-rays ionization rate of zeta=(5+/-3)x10(-17) s(-1). The inclusion of PAHs modifies the ionization fraction gradient and increases the required metal abundance. The ionization fraction in the Horsehead edge follows a steep gradient, with a scale length of ~0.05 pc (or ~25''), from [e-]~10(-4) (or n_e ~ 1-5 cm(-3)) in the PDR to a few times ~10(-9) in the core. PAH^- anions play a role in the charge balance of the cold and neutral gas if substantial amounts of free PAHs are present ([PAH] >10(-8)).

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CO emission and variable CH and CH+ absorption towards HD34078: evidence for a nascent bow shock ?

The runaway star HD34078, initially selected to investigate small scale structure in a foreground diffuse cloud has been shown to be surrounded by highly excited H2. We first search for an association between the foreground cloud and HD34078. Second, we extend previous investigations of temporal absorption line variations (CH, CH+, H2) in order to better characterize them. We have mapped the CO(2-1) emission at 12 arcsec resolution around HD34078's position, using the 30 m IRAM antenna. The follow-up of CH and CH+ absorption lines has been extended over 5 more years. In parallel, CH absorption towards the reddened star Zeta Per have been monitored to check the homogeneity of our measurements. Three more FUSE spectra have been obtained to search for N(H2) variations. CO observations show a pronounced maximum near HD34078's position, clearly indicating that the star and diffuse cloud are associated. The optical spectra confirm the reality of strong, rapid and correlated CH and CH+ fluctuations. On the other hand, N(H2, J=0) has varied by less than 5 % over 4 years. We also discard N(CH) variations towards Zeta Per at scales less than 20 AU. Observational constraints from this work and from 24 micron dust emission appear to be consistent with H2 excitation but inconsistent with steady-state bow shock models and rather suggest that the shell of compressed gas surrounding HD34078, is seen at an early stage of the interaction. The CH and CH+ time variations as well as their large abundances are likely due to chemical structure in the shocked gas layer located at the stellar wind/ambient cloud interface. Finally, the lack of variations for both N(H2, J=0) towards HD34078 and N(CH) towards Zeta Per suggests that quiescent molecular gas is not subject to pronounced small-scale structure.

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