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Yoshihiro Tanabe

Publications and source records attributed to Yoshihiro Tanabe.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Periodic 6.7 GHz $\mathrm{CH_3OH}$ maser emission in G353.273+0.641: First candidate for a pulsating high-mass protostar

We report on the periodic flux variations in the 6.7 GHz $\mathrm{CH_3OH}$ maser associated with the high-mass protostar G353.273+0.641, based on 13 yr of monitoring mainly by the Hitachi 32 m telescope. We identified a periodicity of 309 days based on a nearly complete light curve, with 833 epochs every few days. A strong correlation is found between the maser and the mid-infrared fluxes at 3.4 and 4.6 $\mu$m observed by NEOWISE during these periods, suggesting that the maser emission responds to variations in the protostellar luminosity. The average profile of the maser light curve is asymmetric and shows a steep drop in intensity just before the brightening, resembling that of some pulsating variable stars. Assuming a protostellar pulsation as the origin of maser periodicity, the observed period implies a cool and highly bloated, red supergiant-like structure. Such a bloated structure is consistent with a theoretical model of protostellar evolution under high accretion rates. The inferred protostellar parameters are broadly consistent with the theoretical model of pulsational instability during the early phase of high-mass star formation. However, a periodic accretion scenario caused by an unresolved compact protobinary cannot be completely ruled out. Several irregular peaks that deviate from the periodicity may result from episodic accretion phenomena or jet-launching events independent of the protostellar pulsation. Extremely high-resolution imaging with next-generation interferometers such as the ngVLA will provide a conclusive test for both the protostellar pulsation and the binary accretion scenarios.

astro-ph.SR

Fast variability and circular polarization of the 6.7 GHz methanol maser in G33.641$-$0.228

The 6.7 GHz methanol maser in a high-mass star-forming region G33.641$-$0.228 is known to exhibit burst-like flux variability due to an unknown mechanism. To investigate the burst mechanism, we conducted high-cadence flux and circular polarization monitoring observations, simultaneously using left- and right-hand circular polarizations. We found that the flux density increased and decreased on a short timescale of 0.3 d during a burst. We also found strong circular polarization, reaching up to 20\% in the component exhibiting the bursts. Circular polarization of 0--20\% was continuously observed from 2009 to 2016, even in the quiescent period. The polarization also varied on timescales of less than one day. When a burst occurred and the flux density increased, the circular polarization decreased to zero. To explain the observational properties of the flux variability and circular polarization, we propose a model in which an explosive event similar to a solar radio burst occurs on the line of sight behind the maser cloud, producing circularly polarized continuum emission due to gyro-synchrotron or gyro-resonance radiation, which is then amplified by the maser.

astro-ph.SR

Non-thermal baryogenesis from MSSM flat direction

We study an inflection point inflation scenario where a flat direction of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) is identified with the inflaton. We focus on the case where the flat direction (inflaton) has non-zero baryon number, and consider a non-thermal baryogenesis scenario where the decay of the inflaton at the reheating directly generates baryon asymmetry of the Universe. Specifically, we consider a udd flat direction that is lifted by a superpotential operator of dimension 6, and show that inflection point inflation with the udd flat direction can be compatible with cosmological observations and can account for the baryon asymmetry of the Universe.

hep-ph

Confronting MSSM flat direction inflation with Planck/BICEP data

We study the scenario of inflection point inflation where a flat direction of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) is identified with the inflaton. Specifically, we consider in full generality the cases where a MSSM flat direction is lifted by a higher-dimensional superpotential whose dimension is n = 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. We confront the inflection point inflation scenarios with various n with the Planck and BICEP data, and thereby constrain the soft SUSY breaking mass and the coefficient of the higher-dimensional operator that lifts the flat direction.

hep-ph

The candidates of long-periodic variable sources in 6.7 GHz methanol masers associated with four high-mass star-forming regions

Results of the long-term monitoring observations of the 6.7 GHz Class II methanol masers associated with the four high-mass star-forming regions by Hitachi 32-m radio telescope are presented. We detected periodic flux variability in G06.795-0.257, G10.472+0.027, G12.209-0.102, and G13.657-0.599 with the periods of 968, 1624, 1272, and 1266 d, respectively, although the detected period is tentative due to the short monitoring term relative to the estimated period. The facts that the flux variation patterns show the symmetric sine curves and that the luminosities of the central protostar and periods of maser flux variation are consistent with the expected period-luminosity (PL) relation suggest that the mechanisms of maser flux variability of G10.472+0.027 and G12.209-0.102 can be explained by protostellar pulsation instability. From the PL relation, central stars of these two sources are expected to be very high-mass protostars with a mass of 40 M and to have the mass accretion rate of 2*10-2 M yr-1. On the other hand, G06.795-0.257 and G13.657-0.599 have the intermittent variation patterns and have luminosities that are an order of magnitude smaller than those expected from PL relation, suggesting variation mechanisms of these sources originated from binary system. Since almost all the maser features vary with the same period regardless of its geometry, periodic accretion model may be appropriate mechanisms for flux variability in G06.795-0.257 and G13.657-0.599.

astro-ph.GA

Variability, flaring and coherence -- the complementarity of the maser and superradiance regimes

We discuss the role that coherence phenomena can have on the intensity variability of spectral lines associated with maser radiation. We do so by introducing the fundamental cooperative radiation phenomenon of (Dicke's) superradiance and discuss its complementary nature to the maser action, as well as its role in the flaring behaviour of some maser sources. We will consider examples of observational diagnostics that can help discriminate between the two, and identify superradiance as the source of the latter. More precisely, we show how superradiance readily accounts for the different time-scales observed in the multi-wavelength monitoring of the periodic flaring in G9.62+0.20E.

astro-ph.GA

Detection of the longest periodic variability in 6.7 GHz methanol masers G5.900-0.430

Long term monitoring observations with the Hitachi 32-m radio telescope of the 6.7 GHz methanol masers associated with the high mass star-forming region G5.900-0.430 is presented. A period of flux variability at approximately 1260 days, is detected in the features at VLSR = 9.77 and 10.84 km/s while a secondary shorter period, 130.6 days, is determined for the 0.66 km/s feature. This is only the second source which has two different periods. The period of ~1260 days is approximately twice as long as the longest known period of 6.7 GHz methanol masers. The variability pattern of the symmetric sine curves and the consistency with the expected period-luminosity relation suggest that the mechanism of maser flux variability of 9.77 and 10.84 km/s features in this source can be explained by protostellar pulsation instability. On the other hand, because the 0.66 km/s feature has an intermittent and asymmetric variability profile, we propose this feature is explained by the CWB or spiral shock models. Obtaining the spatial distribution of the 0.66 km/s feature using an VLBI will lead to a better understanding of this source.

astro-ph.SR

Overview of the Observing System and Initial Scientific Accomplishments of the East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN)

The East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN) is an international VLBI facility in East Asia and is operated under mutual collaboration between East Asian countries, as well as part of Southeast Asian and European countries. EAVN currently consists of 16 radio telescopes and three correlators located in China, Japan, and Korea, and is operated mainly at three frequency bands, 6.7, 22, and 43 GHz with the longest baseline length of 5078 km, resulting in the highest angular resolution of 0.28 milliarcseconds at 43 GHz. One of distinct capabilities of EAVN is multi-frequency simultaneous data reception at nine telescopes, which enable us to employ the frequency phase transfer technique to obtain better sensitivity at higher observing frequencies. EAVN started its open-use program in the second half of 2018, providing a total observing time of more than 1100 hours in a year. EAVN fills geographical gap in global VLBI array, resulting in enabling us to conduct contiguous high-resolution VLBI observations. EAVN has produced various scientific accomplishments especially in observations toward active galactic nuclei, evolved stars, and star-forming regions. These activities motivate us to initiate launch of the 'Global VLBI Alliance' to provide an opportunity of VLBI observation with the longest baselines on the earth.

astro-ph.IM

Mid-Infrared and Maser Flux Variability Correlation in Massive Young Stellar Object G036.70+00.09

We present the discovery of the simultaneous flux variation of a massive young stellar object (MYSO) G036.70+00.09 (G036.70) both in the maser emission and mid-infrared (MIR;$λ=3$--$5$~$μ$m) bands. Utilizing the ALLWISE and NEOWISE archival databases covering a long time span of approximately 10 years with a cadence of 6 months, we confirmed that G036.70 indicates a stochastic year-long MIR variability with no signs of the WISE band color change of W1 (3.4~$μ$m) $-$W2 (4.6~$μ$m). Cross-matching the MIR data set with the high-cadence 6.7~GHz class II methanol maser flux using a Hitachi 32-m radio telescope that discovered its periodicity in the methanol maser of 53.0--53.2 days, we also determine the flux correlations between the two bands at two different timescales, year-long and day-long, both of which have never been reported in MYSOs except when they are in a state of the accretion burst phase. The results of our study support the scenario that a class II methanol maser is pumped up by infrared emission from accreting disks of MYSOs. We also discuss the possible origins of MIR and maser variability. To explain the two observed phenomena, a stochastic year-long MIR variability with no signs of significant color change and maser-MIR variability correlation, change in mass accretion rate and line-of-sight extinction because of nonaxisymmetric dust density distribution in a rotating accretion disk are possible origins. Observations through spectroscopic monitoring of accretion-related emission lines are essential for determining the origin of the observed variability in G036.70.

astro-ph.SR

Nobeyama 45-m Mapping Observations toward Orion A.I. Molecular Outflows

We conducted an exploration of 12CO molecular outflows in the Orion A giant molecular cloud to investigate outflow feedback using 12CO (J = 1-0) and 13CO (J = 1-0) data obtained by the Nobeyama 45-m telescope. In the region excluding the center of OMC 1, we identified 44 12CO (including 17 newly detected) outflows based on the unbiased and systematic procedure of automatically determining the velocity range of the outflows and separating the cloud and outflow components. The optical depth of the 12CO emission in the detected outflows is estimated to be approximately 5. The total momentum and energy of the outflows, corrected for optical depth, are estimated to be 1.6 x 10 2 M km s-1 and 1.5 x 10 46 erg, respectively. The momentum and energy ejection rate of the outflows are estimated to be 36% and 235% of the momentum and energy dissipation rates of the cloud turbulence, respectively. Furthermore, the ejection rates of the outflows are comparable to those of the expanding molecular shells estimated by Feddersen et al. (2018, ApJ, 862, 121). Cloud turbulence cannot be sustained by the outflows and shells unless the energy conversion efficiency is as high as 20%.

astro-ph.SR

Nobeyama 45-m mapping observations toward nearby molecular clouds, Orion A, Aquila Rift, and M17: Project overview

We carried out mapping observations toward three nearby molecular clouds, Orion A, Aquila Rift, and M17, using a new 100 GHz receiver, FOREST, on the Nobeyama 45-m telescope. In the present paper, we describe the details of the data obtained such as intensity calibration, data sensitivity, angular resolution, and velocity resolution. Each target contains at least one high-mass star-forming region. The target molecular lines were $^{12}$CO ($J = 1 - 0$), $^{13}$CO ($J = 1 - 0$), C$^{18}$O ($J = 1 - 0$), N$_2$H$^+$ ($J=1-0$), and CCS ($J_N=8_7-7_6$), with which we covered the density range of 10$^2$ cm$^{-3}$ to 10$^6$ cm$^{-3}$ with an angular resolution of $\sim 20\arcsec$ and a velocity resolution of $\sim$ 0.1 km s$^{-1}$. Assuming the representative distances of 414 pc, 436 pc, and 2.1 kpc, the maps of Orion A, Aquila Rift, and M17 cover most of the densest parts with areas of about 7 pc $\times$ 15 pc, 7 pc $\times$ 7 pc, and 36 pc $\times$ 18 pc, respectively. On the basis of the $^{13}$CO column density distribution, the total molecular masses are derived to be $3.86 \times 10^4 M_\odot$, $2.67 \times 10^4 M_\odot$, and $8.1\times 10^5 M_\odot$ for Orion A, Aquila Rift, and M17, respectively. For all the clouds, the H$_2$ column density exceeds the theoretical threshold for high-mass star formation of $\gtrsim$ 1 g cm$^{-2}$, only toward the regions which contain current high-mass star-forming sites. For other areas, further mass accretion or dynamical compression would be necessary for future high-mass star formation. This is consistent with the current star formation activity. Using the $^{12}$CO data, we demonstrate that our data have enough capability to identify molecular outflows, and for Aquila Rift, we identify 4 new outflow candidates. The scientific results will be discussed in details in separate papers.

astro-ph.GA

Nobeyama 45-m Mapping Observations toward Orion A. III. Multi-Line Observations toward an Outflow-shocked Region, OMC-2 FIR

We present the results of mapping observations toward an outflow-shocked region, OMC-2 FIR 4 using the Nobeyama 45-m telescope. We observed the area in $^{13}$CO ($J=1-0$), C$^{18}$O ($J=1-0$), N$_2$H$^+$ ($J=1-0$), CCS ($J_N=8_7-7_6$), HCO$^+$ ($J=1-0$), H$^{13}$CO$^+$ ($J=1-0$), HN$^{13}$C ($J=1-0$), H$^{13}$CN ($J=1-0$), DNC ($J=1-0$), N$_2$D$^+$ ($J=1-0$), and DC$_3$N ($J=9-8$). We detected a dense molecular clump that contains FIR 4/5. We also detected in $^{13}$CO blueshifted and redshifted components driven presumably by protostellar outflows in this region. The axes of the FIR 3 and VLA 13 outflows, projected on the plane of the sky, appear to point toward the FIR 4 clump, suggesting that the clump may be compressed by protostellar outflows from Class I sources, FIR 3 and VLA 13. Applying the hyperfine fit of N$_2$H$^+$ lines, we estimated the excitation temperature to be $\sim$ 20 K. The high excitation temperature is consistent with the fact that the clump contains protostars. The CCS emission was detected in this region for the first time. Its abundance is estimated to be a few $\times 10^{-12}$, indicating that the region is chemically evolved at $\sim 10^5$ years, which is comparable to the typical lifetime of the Class I protostars. This timescale is consistent with the scenario that star formation in FIR 4 is triggered by dynamical compression of the protostellar outflows. The [HNC]/[HCN] ratio is evaluated to be $\sim 0.5$ in the dense clump and the outflow lobes, whereas it is somewhat larger in the envelope of the dense clump. The small [HNC]/[HCN] ratio indicates that the HNC formation was prevented due to high temperatures. Such high temperatures seem to be consistent with the scenario that either protostellar radiation or outflow compression, or both, affected the thermal properties of this region.

astro-ph.SR

The CARMA-NRO Orion Survey

We present the first results from a new, high resolution, $^{12}$CO(1-0), $^{13}$CO(1-0), and C$^{18}$O(1-0) molecular line survey of the Orion A cloud, hereafter referred to as the CARMA-NRO Orion Survey. CARMA observations have been combined with single-dish data from the Nobeyama 45m telescope to provide extended images at about 0.01 pc resolution, with a dynamic range of approximately 1200 in spatial scale. Here we describe the practical details of the data combination in uv space, including flux scale matching, the conversion of single dish data to visibilities, and joint deconvolution of single dish and interferometric data. A $Δ$-variance analysis indicates that no artifacts are caused by combining data from the two instruments. Initial analysis of the data cubes, including moment maps, average spectra, channel maps, position-velocity diagrams, excitation temperature, column density, and line ratio maps provides evidence of complex and interesting structures such as filaments, bipolar outflows, shells, bubbles, and photo-eroded pillars. The implications for star formation processes are profound and follow-up scientific studies by the CARMA-NRO Orion team are now underway. We plan to make all the data products described here generally accessible; some are already available at https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataverse/CARMA-NRO-Orion

astro-ph.GA