arXiv subjects

L. Hindson

Publications and source records attributed to L. Hindson.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

The G305 star-forming complex: Embedded Massive Star Formation Discovered by Herschel Hi-GAL

We present a Herschel far-infrared study towards the rich massive star- forming complex G305, utilising PACS 70, 160 μm and SPIRE 250, 350, and 500 μm observations from the Hi-GAL survey of the Galactic plane. The focus of this study is to identify the embedded massive star-forming population within G305, by combining far-infrared data with radio continuum, H2O maser, methanol maser, MIPS, and Red MSX Source survey data available from previous studies. By applying a frequentist technique we are able to identify a sample of the most likely associations within our multi-wavelength dataset, that can then be identified from the derived properties obtained from fitted spectral energy distributions (SEDs). By SED modelling using both a simple modified blackbody and fitting to a comprehensive grid of model SEDs, some 16 candidate associations are identified as embedded massive star-forming regions. We derive a two-selection colour criterion from this sample of log(F70/F500)\geq 1 and log(F160/F350)\geq 1.6 to identify an additional 31 embedded massive star candidates with no associated star-formation tracers. Using this result we can build a picture of the present day star-formation of the complex, and by extrapolating an initial mass function, suggest a current population of \approx 2 \times 10^4 young stellar objects (YSOs) present, corresponding to a star formation rate (SFR) of 0.01-0.02 M\odot yr^-1. Comparing this resolved star formation rate, to extragalactic star formation rate tracers (based on the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation), we find the star formation activity is underestimated by a factor of \geq 2 in comparison to the SFR derived from the YSO population.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

The H2O southern Galactic Plane Survey(HOPS): NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) catalogues

The H2O Southern Galactic Plane Survey (HOPS) has mapped a 100 degree strip of the Galactic plane (-70deg > l > 30deg, |b| < 0.5deg) using the 22-m Mopra antenna at 12-mm wavelengths. Observations were conducted in on-the-fly mode using the Mopra spectrometer (MOPS), targeting water masers, thermal molecular emission and radio-recombination lines. Foremost among the thermal lines are the 23 GHz transitions of NH3 J,K = (1,1) and (2,2), which trace the densest parts of molecular clouds (n > 10^4 cm^{-3}). In this paper we present the NH3 (1,1) and (2,2) data, which have a resolution of 2 arcmin and cover a velocity range of +/-200 km/s. The median sensitivity of the NH3 data-cubes is sigma_Tmb = 0.20 +/1 0.06 K. For the (1,1) transition this sensitivity equates to a 3.2 kpc distance limit for detecting a 20 K, 400 Msun cloud at the 5-sigma level. Similar clouds of mass 5,000 Msun would be detected as far as the Galactic centre, while 30,000 Msun clouds would be seen across the Galaxy. We have developed an automatic emission finding procedure based on the ATNF DUCHAMP software and have used it to create a new catalogue of 669 dense molecular clouds. The catalogue is 100 percent complete at the 5-sigma detection limit (Tmb = 1.0 K). A preliminary analysis of the ensemble cloud properties suggest that the near kinematic distances are favoured. The cloud positions are consistent with current models of the Galaxy containing a long bar. Combined with other Galactic plane surveys this new molecular-line dataset constitutes a key tool for examining Galactic structure and evolution. Data-cubes, spectra and catalogues are available to the community via the HOPS website.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

The G305 star-forming complex: a wide-area radio survey of ultra-compact HII regions

We present wide-area radio continuum 5.5 and 8.8 GHz (5.5 and 3.4 cm) Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the complex and rich massive star-forming region G305. The aim of this study is to perform an un-targeted survey of the region in search of the compact radio emission associated with ultra-compact (UC) HII regions. Observations presented here encompass the entire complex and have a maximum resolution of ~1.5x1.4" and sensitivity of ~0.07 mJy beam^-1. By applying a data reduction method that emphasises small-scale structure, we are able to detect 71 compact radio sources distributed throughout the observed field. To explore the nature of these compact radio sources we compare to mid-infrared data and in this way identify 56 background sources, eight stellar radio sources, a single bright-rimmed cloud and six candidate UCHII regions. The physical properties of these candidate UCHII regions are determined and reveal five candidates have peak properties consistent with known UCHII regions with source radii ranging from 0.04-0.1 pc, emission measures from 2.56--10.3x10^-6 pc cm^-6 and electron densities of 0.34--1.03x10^4 cm^-3. We comment on these sites of recent massive star formation within G305 and by comparing to other star formation tracers (masers, NH3, YSOs) build a picture of the star formation history of the region. Using these results we estimate a lower limit to the star formation rate for the region of ~0.003 Msun yr^-1.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2011

The H_2O southern Galactic Plane Survey (HOPS): I. Techniques and H_2O maser data

We present first results of the H_2O Southern Galactic Plane Survey (HOPS), using the Mopra radiotelescope with a broad band backend and a beam size of about 2'. We have observed 100 square degrees of the southern Galactic plane at 12mm (19.5 to 27.5GHz), including spectral line emission from water masers, multiple metastable transitions of ammonia, cyanoacetylene, methanol and radio recombination lines. In this paper, we report on the characteristics of the survey and water maser emission. We find 540 water masers, of which 334 are new detections. The strongest maser is 3933Jy and the weakest is 0.7Jy, with 62 masers over 100Jy. In 14 maser sites, the spread in velocity of the water maser emission exceeds 100km/s. In one region, the water maser velocities are separated by 351.3km/s. The rms noise levels are typically between 1-2Jy, with 95% of the survey under 2Jy. We estimate completeness limits of 98% at around 8.4Jy and 50% at around 5.5Jy. We estimate that there are between 800 and 1500 water masers in the Galaxy that are detectable in a survey with similar completeness limits to HOPS. We report possible masers in NH_3 (11,9) and (8,6) emission towards G19.61-0.23 and in the NH_3 (3,3) line towards G23.33-0.30.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2011

The Australia Telescope Compact Array Broadband Backend (CABB)

Here we describe the Compact Array Broadband Backend (CABB) and present first results obtained with the upgraded Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The 16-fold increase in observing bandwidth, from 2 x 128 MHz to 2 x 2048 MHz, high bit sampling, and addition of 16 zoom windows (each divided into a further 2048 channels) provide major improvements for all ATCA observations. The benefits of the new system are: (1) hugely increased radio continuum and polarization sensitivity as well as image fidelity, (2) substantially improved capability to search for and map emission and absorption lines over large velocity ranges, (3) simultaneous multi-line and continuum observations, (4) increased sensitivity, survey speed and dynamic range due to high-bit sampling, and (5) high velocity resolution, while maintaining full polarization output. The new CABB system encourages all observers to make use of both spectral line and continuum data to achieve their full potential. Given the dramatic increase of the ATCA capabilities in all bands (ranging from 1.1 to 105 GHz) CABB enables scientific projects that were not feasible before the upgrade, such as simultaneous observations of multiple spectral lines, on-the-fly mapping, fast follow-up of radio transients (e.g., the radio afterglow of new supernovae) and maser observations at high velocity resolution and full polarization. The first science results presented here include wide-band spectra, high dynamic-range images, and polarization measurements, highlighting the increased capability and discovery potential of the ATCA.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2010

The G305 star forming complex: Wide-Area molecular mapping of NH3 and H2O masers

We present wide area radio (12 mm) Mopra Telescope observations of the complex and rich massive star forming region G305. Our goals are to determine the reservoir for star formation within G305 using NH3 to trace the dense molecular content, and thus, the gas available to form stars; estimate physical parameters of detected NH3 clumps (temperature, column density, mass etc); locate current areas of active star formation via the presence of H2O and methanol masers and the distribution of YSOs and ultra compact HII regions associated with this region. This paper details the NH3 (J,K), (1,1), (2,2) and (3,3) inversion transition and 22 GHz H2O maser observations. We observed a \sim 1.5\circ x 1\circ region with \sim 2' angular resolution and a sensitivity of \sim 60 mK per 0.4 km s^-1 channel. We identify 15 NH3 (1,1), 12 NH3 (2,2) and 6 NH3 (3,3) clumps surrounding the central HII region. The sizes of the clumps vary between < 2.6 and 10.1 pc, the average kinetic temperature of the gas is 25 K. We calculate clump masses of > 10^4 M\odot and find the total molecular mass of the complex to be \sim 6x10^5 M\odot. We note the positions of 56 star formation tracers, and discover a high degree of correlation with detected NH3 clumps. We have detected 16 H2O masers, find they correlate with the detected ammonia clumps and in general are found closer to the NH3 clump cores than star formation tracers of later evolutionary stages.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2008

Model Spectra of Hot Subdwarfs for the Gaia Mission

The Gaia mission will provide an unprecedented 3D view of our galaxy, it will obtain astrometric, photometric and spectrographic data for roughly one billion stars. We are particularly interested in the treasure chest of new data Gaia will produce for hot subdwarf B (sdB) stars. In order for Gaia to classify sdBs and estimate parameters model spectra covering a wide parameter range are needed. Here we describe the construction of an extensive grid, which will be used for this purpose.

astro-ph↗