arXiv subjects

P. A. M. van Hoof

Publications and source records attributed to P. A. M. van Hoof.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

The onset of photoionization in Sakurai's Object (V4334 Sgr)

We investigate the reheating of the very late thermal pulse (VLTP) object V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object) using radio observations from the Very Large Array, and optical spectra obtained with the Very Large Telescope. We find a sudden rise of the radio flux at 5 and 8 GHz - from <= 90 micro-Jy and 80 +/- 30 micro-Jy in February 2005 to 320 micro-Jy and 280 micro-Jy in June 2006. Optical line emission is also evolving, but the emission lines are fading. The optical line emission and early radio flux are attributed to a fast shock (and not photoionization as was reported earlier) which occurred around 1998. The fading is due to post-shock cooling and recombination. The recent rapid increase in radio flux is evidence for the onset of photoionization of carbon starting around 2005. The current results indicate an increase in the stellar temperature to 12 kK in 2006. The mass ejected in the VLTP eruption is M_ej >= 1e-4 Msol, but could be as high as 1e-2 Msol, depending mainly on the distance and the clumping factor of the outflow. We derive a distance between 1.8 and 5 kpc. A high mass loss could expose the helium layer and yield abundances compatible with those of [WC] and PG1159 stars.

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arXiv2007

IRAS08281-4850 and IRAS14325-6428: two A-type post-AGB stars with s-process enrichment

One of the puzzling findings in the study of the chemical evolution of (post-)AGB stars is why very similar stars (in terms of metallicity, spectral type, infrared properties, etc...) show a very different photospheric composition. We aim at extending the still limited sample of s-process enriched post-AGB stars, in order to obtain a statistically large enough sample that allows us to formulate conclusions concerning the 3rd dredge-up occurrence. We selected two post-AGB stars on the basis of IR colours indicative of a past history of heavy mass loss: IRAS08281-4850 and IRAS14325-6428. They are cool sources in the locus of the Planetary Nebulae (PNe) in the IRAS colour-colour diagram. Abundances of both objects were derived for the first time on the basis of high-quality UVES and EMMI spectra, using a critically compiled line list with accurate log(gf) values, together with the latest Kurucz model atmospheres. Both objects have very similar spectroscopically defined effective temperatures of 7750-8000K. They are strongly carbon and s-process enriched, with a C/O ratio of 1.9 and 1.6, and an [ls/Fe] of +1.7 and +1.2, for IRAS08281 and IRAS14325 resp. Moreover, the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) point to heavy mass-loss during the preceding AGB phase. IRAS08281 and IRAS14325 are prototypical post-AGB objects in the sense that they show strong post 3rd dredge-up chemical enrichments. The neutron irradiation has been extremely efficient, despite the only mild sub-solar metallicity. This is not conform with the recent chemical models. The existence of very similar post-AGB stars without any enrichment emphasizes our poor knowledge of the details of the AGB nucleosynthesis and dredge-up phenomena. We call for a very systematic chemical study of all cool sources in the PN region of the IRAS colour-colour diagram.

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arXiv2007

A PDR-Code Comparison Study

We present a comparison between independent computer codes, modeling the physics and chemistry of interstellar photon dominated regions (PDRs). Our goal was to understand the mutual differences in the PDR codes and their effects on the physical and chemical structure of the model clouds, and to converge the output of different codes to a common solution. A number of benchmark models have been created, covering low and high gas densities and far ultraviolet intensities. The benchmark models were computed in two ways: one set assuming constant temperatures, thus testing the consistency of the chemical network and photo-processes, and a second set determining the temperature selfconsistently. We investigated the impact of PDR geometry and agreed on the comparison of results from spherical and plane-parallel PDR models. We identified a number of key processes governing the chemical network which have been treated differently in the various codes, and defined a proper common treatment. We established a comprehensive set of reference models for ongoing and future PDR model bench-marking and were able to increase the agreement in model predictions for all benchmark models significantly.

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arXiv2006

The Real-Time Evolution of Sakurai's Star (V4334 Sgr) and other (V)LTP Objects

We report on the progress of our on-going campaign to monitor the evolution of the VLTP objects V4334 Sgr and V605 Aql, as well as the suspected (V)LTP object CK Vul. V4334 Sgr does not show signs of increased ionization compared to our previous observations in 2004. We obtained the first radio detection of V605 Aql, indicating a strong increase in radio flux since 1987. We also present the first radio detection of CK Vul and discuss the expansion of the material ejected during the 1670 event.

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arXiv2006

New Planerary Nebulae towards the Galactic bulge

New Planetary Nebulae (PNe) were discovered through an [O III] 5007 A emission line survey in the Galactic bulge region with l>0 deg. We detected 240 objects, including 44 new PNe. Deep Halpha+[N II] CCD images as well as low resolution spectra were obtained for the new PNe in order to study them in detail. Preliminary photo-ionization models of the new PNe with Cloudy resulted in first estimates of the physical parameters and abundances. They are compared to the abundances of Galactic PNe.

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arXiv2006

The Planetary Nebula population of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

The identification of two new Planetary Nebulae in the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy (Sgr) is presented. This brings the total number to four. The first, StWr 2-21, belongs to the main body of Sgr. The second, the halo PN BoBn 1, has a location, distance and velocity in agreement with the leading tidal tail of Sgr. We estimate that 10 per cent of the Galactic halo consists of Sgr debris. The specific frequency of PNe indicates a total luminosity of Sgr, including its tidal tails, of M_V=-14.1. StWr 2-21 shows a high abundance of [O/H]=-0.23, which confirms the high-metallicity population in Sgr uncovered by Bonaficio et al. (2004). The steep metallicity--age gradient in Sgr is due to ISM removal during the Galactic plane passages, ISM reformation due to stellar mass loss, and possibly accretion of metal-enriched gas from our Galaxy. The ISM re-formation rate of Sgr, from stellar mass loss, is 5 X 10^-4 M_sun yr^-1, amounting to ~10^6 M_sun per orbital period. HST images reveal well-developed bipolar morphologies, and provide clear detections of the central stars. All three stars with deep spectra show WR-lines, suggesting that the progenitor mass and metallicity determines whether a PN central star develops a WR spectrum. One Sgr PN belongs to the class of IR-[WC] stars. Expansion velocities are determined for three nebulae. Comparison with hydrodynamical models indicates an initial density profile of rho ~ r^-3. This is evidence for increasing mass-loss rates on the AGB. Peak mass-loss rates are indicated of ~ 10^-4 M_sun yr^-1. The IR-[WC] PN, He 2-436, provides the sole direct detection of dust in a dwarf spheroidal galaxy, to date.

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arXiv2005

The H II Region/PDR Connection: Self-Consistent Calculations of Physical Conditions in Star-Forming Regions

We have performed a series of calculations designed to reproduce infrared diagnostics used to determine physical conditions in star forming regions. We self-consistently calculate the thermal and chemical structure of an H II region and photodissociation region (PDR) that are in pressure equilibrium. This differs from previous work, which used separate calculations for each gas phase. Our calculations span a wide range of stellar temperatures, gas densities, and ionization parameters. We describe improvements made to the spectral synthesis code Cloudy that made these calculations possible. These include the addition of a molecular network with ~1000 reactions involving 68 molecular species and improved treatment of the grain physics. Data from the Spitzer First Look Survey, along with other archives, are used to derive important physical characteristics of the H II region and PDR. These include stellar temperatures, electron densities, ionization parameters, UV radiation flux, and PDR density. Finally, we calculate the contribution of the H II region to PDR emission line diagnostics, which allows for a more accurate determination of physical conditions in the PDR.

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arXiv2005

Molecular Hydrogen in Star-forming regions: implementation of its micro-physics in Cloudy

Much of the baryonic matter in the Universe is in the form of H2 which includes most of the gas in galactic and extragalactic interstellar clouds. Molecular hydrogen plays a significant role in establishing the thermal balance in many astrophysical environments and can be important as a spectral diagnostic of the gas. Modeling and interpretation of observations of such environments requires a quantitatively complete and accurate treatment of H2. Using this micro-physical model of H2, illustrative calculations of prototypical astrophysical environments are presented. This work forms the foundation for future investigations of these and other environments where H2 is an important constituent.

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arXiv2004

Grain size distributions and photo-electric heating in ionized media

Ever since the pioneering study of Spitzer, it has been widely recognized that grains play an important role in the heating and cooling of photo-ionized environments. A detailed code is necessary to model grains in a photo-ionized medium. In this paper we will use the spectral synthesis code Cloudy for this purpose. The grain model of this code has recently undergone a comprehensive upgrade. Part of this is the newly developed hybrid grain charge model, which will be described in detail. This model allows discrete charge states of very small grains to be modelled accurately while simultaneously avoiding the overhead of fully resolving the charge distribution of large grains, thus making the model both accurate and computationally efficient. A comprehensive comparison with the fully resolved charge state models of Weingartner & Draine (2001) shows that the agreement is very satisfactory for realistic size distributions. The effect of the grain size distribution on the line emission from photo-ionized regions is studied by taking standard models for an H II region and a planetary nebula and adding a dust component to the models with varying grain size distributions. A comparison of the models shows that varying the size distribution has a dramatic effect on the emitted spectrum, and affects the ionization balance as well. These results clearly demonstrate that the grain size distribution is an important parameter in photo-ionization models.

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arXiv2003

Grain Size Distributions and Photo-Electric Heating in Ionized Regions

In this paper we present results obtained with the new grain code in Cloudy which underline the strong effect of photo-electric heating by grains in photo-ionized regions. We study the effect that the distribution of grain sizes has on the magnitude of the effect, and show that this effect is nothing short of dramatic. This makes the grain size distribution an important parameter in modeling of photo-ionized regions such as H II regions and planetary nebulae.

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arXiv2003

Shock emission in the bipolar post-AGB star IRAS 16594-4656

In this paper we study the near-infrared emission spectrum of IRAS 16594-4656, a bipolar post-AGB star with spectral type B7 and no observed ionization. Using optical and near-infrared photometry we determined the total extinction towards this object to be A_V=7.5 +/- 0.4 mag and derived a distance of 2.2 +/- 0.4 kpc, assuming a luminosity of 10^4 L_sol. The near-infrared spectrum shows strong H_2 emission lines and some typical metastable shock excited lines such as [Fe II] 1.257 & 1.644 micron. We determined the rotational and vibrational excitation temperatures, as well as the ortho-to-para ratio of the molecular hydrogen. Based on these we argue that the H_2 emission is mainly collisionally excited. Line ratios indicate that the H_2 emission originates in a +/- 25 km/s C-type shock. On the other hand, the metastable lines, and especially the [Fe II] emission lines, indicate the presence of a +/- 75 km/s J-type shock. Hence we postulate that the H_2 emission originates where the stellar wind (with an observed terminal velocity of +/- 126 km/s) is funneled through an equatorial density enhancement, impinging almost tangentially upon the circumstellar material. The [Fe II] emission either occurs along the walls of the bipolar lobes where the transverse shock velocity would be higher, or could originate much closer to the central star in shocks in the post-AGB wind itself, or possibly even an accretion disk. Further high resolution near-infrared spectra are currently being obtained to confirm the proposed geometry and kinematics.

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arXiv2001

Grains in Photo-Ionized Environments

Ever since the pioneering study of Spitzer, it has been widely recognized that grains play an important role in the heating and cooling of photo-ionized environments. This includes the diffuse ISM, as well as H II regions, planetary nebulae, and photo-dissociation regions. A detailed code is necessary to model grains in a photo-ionized medium since the interactions of grains with their environment include a host of microphysical processes, and their importance can only be judged by performing a complete simulation. In this paper we will use the spectral synthesis code Cloudy for this purpose. A comprehensive upgrade of the grain model has been recently incorporated in Cloudy, and certain aspects of this upgrade will be discussed. Special emphasis will be on the new grain charge model. We will consider in detail the physics of grains in both ionized and neutral environments, and will present a calculation of photo-electric heating and collisional cooling rates for a range of physical conditions and grain materials and for a range of grain sizes (including a realistic size distribution). We conclude with a brief discussion of the problems currently hampering progress in this field. The new grain model will be used to model the silicate emission in the Ney-Allen nebula, and will help us better understand the nature of the grains in that part of the Orion complex.

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arXiv2000

Near-infrared and Br_gamma observations of post-AGB stars

We investigate the infrared properties of the IRAS sources not confirmed as PNe in Van de Steene & Pottasch (1993). We observed 28 objects in the N-band of which 20 were detected and 5 were resolved. We obtained medium resolution Br_gamma spectra and we took high resolution JHKL images of these 20 objects. We critically assessed the identification of the IRAS counterpart in the images. Of sixteen positively identified objects, seven show Br_gamma in absorption, another six objects show Br_gamma in emission on top of a continuum. In another three objects, no clear Br_gamma absorption or emission was visible. Our detection rate of emission line objects is higher compared to previous studies. None of the objects with Br_gamma in emission were detected above a detection limit of 0.6 mJy/beam at 6 cm, while they should have been easily detected if the radio flux was optically thin and Case B recombination was applicable. Their SED's are typical for post-AGB stars. We also constructed various color-color diagrams using the near-infrared and IRAS magnitudes. No distinction can be made between the objects showing Br_gamma in emission, absorption, or a flat spectrum in the near and far-infrared color-color diagrams. The near-infrared color-color diagrams show evidence for a very large range of extinction, which in part is of circumstellar origin. Near-infrared versus far-infrared color-color diagrams show trends that are consistent with the expected evolution of the circumstellar shell. This sample of post-AGB stars show a larger range in color and are generally closer to the galactic plane than the ones known so far.

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arXiv2000

Current Development of the Photo-Ionization Code Cloudy

This paper describes the most important differences between Cloudy 90 and Cloudy 94, the most recent upgrade of the code which has now been posted on the WWW. It also describes the upgrade of the grain model in Cloudy which is currently underway.

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arXiv1999

Measuring angular diameters of extended sources - I. Theory

When measuring diameters of partially resolved sources like planetary nebulae, H II regions or galaxies, often a technique called gaussian deconvolution is used. This technique yields a gaussian diameter which subsequently has to be multiplied with a conversion factor to obtain the true angular diameter of the source. This conversion factor is a function of the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of the beam. It also depends on the intrinsic surface brightness distribution of the source. In this paper the theory behind this technique will be studied. This study will be restricted to circularly symmetric geometries and beams. First an implicit equation will be derived, from which the conversion factor for a given surface brightness distribution and beam size can be solved. Explicit expressions for the conversion factor will be derived from this equation which are valid in cases where the beam size is larger than the intrinsic size of the source. A more detailed discussion will be given for two simple geometries: a circular constant surface brightness disk and a spherical constant emissivity shell with arbitrary inner radius. The theory is subsequently used to construct a new technique for determining the FWHM of an arbitrary observed surface brightness distribution. Usually the FWHM of the source and beam are measured using gaussian fits, but second moments can also be used. The alternative use of second moments in this context is studied here for the first time and it is found that in this case the conversion factor has a different value which is independent of the beam size. In the limit for infinitely large beam sizes, the values of the conversion factors for both techniques are equal.

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arXiv1999

The collision strength of the [Ne V] infrared fine-structure lines

The calculation of accurate collision strengths for atomic transitions has been a long standing problem in quantitative spectroscopy. Most modern calculations are based on the R-matrix method and problems pertaining to the use of this method have led to a discussion of the accuracy of these results. More in particular, based on an analysis of the spectra of NGC 3918 and NGC 6302, Clegg et al. (1987) and Oliva et al. (1996) have questioned R-matrix calculations for the infrared [Ne V] fine-structure transitions. Using improved flux measurements for the [Ne V] lines, we show that the conclusion that these collision strengths would be too high, is not correct. The discrepancies found by Clegg et al. (1987) can be explained by the inaccuracy of the [Ne V] 342.6 nm flux they adopted. The discrepancies found by Oliva et al. (1996) can be explained by the inaccuracy of the LRS flux for the [Ne V] 14.32 micron line. Based on the data presented in this paper there is no reason to assume that there are any problems with the R-matrix calculations for Ne^4+ of Lennon & Burke (1994). We show that the data are accurate at the 30 % level or better. This confirms the validity of the close coupling method.

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arXiv1999

Measuring angular diameters of extended sources

When measuring diameters of partially resolved sources often a technique called gaussian deconvolution is used. This technique yields a gaussian diameter which subsequently has to be multiplied with a conversion factor to obtain the true angular diameter of the source. This conversion factor is a function of the FWHM of the beam or point spread function and also depends on the intrinsic surface brightness distribution of the source. In this paper conversion factors are presented for a number of simple geometries: a circular constant surface brightness disk and a spherical constant emissivity shell, using a range of values for the inner radius. Also more realistic geometries are studied, based on a spherically symmetric photo-ionization model of a planetary nebula. This enables a study of optical depth effects, a comparison between images in various emission lines and the use of power law density distributions. It is found that the conversion factor depends quite critically on the intrinsic surface brightness distribution, which is usually unknown. The uncertainty is particularly large if extended regions of low surface brightness are present in the nebula. In such cases the use of gaussian or second moment deconvolution is not recommended. As an alternative, a new algorithm is presented which allows the determination of the intrinsic FWHM of the source using only the observed surface brightness distribution and the FWHM of the beam. Tests show that this implicit deconvolution method works well in realistic conditions, even when the signal-to-noise is low, provided that the beam size is less than roughly 2/3 of the observed FWHM and the beam profile can be approximated by a gaussian.

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arXiv1999

Properties of Dust Grains in Planetary Nebulae -- I. The Ionized Region of NGC 6445

In this paper we study new infrared spectra of the evolved planetary nebula NGC 6445 obtained with ISO. These data show that the thermal emission from the grains is very cool and has a low flux compared to H beta. A model of the ionized region is constructed, using the photo-ionization code CLOUDY 90.05. Based on this model, we show from depletions in the gas phase elements that little grain destruction can have occurred in the ionized region of NGC 6445. We also argue that dust-gas separation in the nebula is not plausible. The most likely conclusion is that grains are residing inside the ionized region of NGC 6445 and that the low temperature and flux of the grain emission are caused by the low luminosity of the central star and the low optical depth of the grains. This implies that the bulk of the silicon-bearing grains in this nebula were able to survive exposure to hard UV photons for at least several thousands of years, contradicting previously published results. A comparison between optical and infrared diagnostic line ratios gives a marginal indication for the presence of a t^2-effect in the nebula. However, the evidence is not convincing and other explanations for the discrepancy are also plausible. The off-source spectrum taken with ISO-LWS clearly shows the presence of a warm cirrus component with a temperature of 24 K as well as a very cold component with a temperature of 7 K. Since our observation encompasses only a small region of the sky, it is not clear how extended the 7 K component is and whether it contributed significantly to the FIRAS spectrum taken by COBE. Because our line of sight is in the galactic plane, the very cold component could be a starless core.

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