The
A sensitive (1
- Award ID(s):
- 1907910
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10378363
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astronomical Journal
- Volume:
- 164
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 0004-6256
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 230
- Size(s):
- ["Article No. 230"]
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract J = 2 → 1 transition of CO near 230 GHz and theJ = 3 → 2 line of HCN at 265 GHz have been imaged in the envelope of the red hypergiant star, VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa), using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) with angular resolutions 0.″2–1.″5; single-dish data were added to provide sensitivity up to 30″. These images reveal a far more complex envelope, with previously unseen outflows extending 4″–9″ from the star. These new structures include an arc-like outflow with an angular separation of ∼9″ northeast from the stellar position (“NE Arc”), twin fingerlike features approximately 4″ to the north/northeast (“NE Extension”), and a roughly spherical region observed ∼7″ E of the star (“E Bubble”). The NE Arc appears to be decelerating from base (V LSR∼ 7 km s−1) to tip (V LSR∼ 18 km s−1), while the NE Extension is blueshifted withV LSR∼ −7 km s−1. Among the new features, HCN is only detected in the NE Arc. In addition, known structures Arc 1, Arc 2, and NW Arc, as well as other features closer to the star, are closely replicated in CO, suggesting that the gas and dust are well mixed. The CO spectra are consistent with the kinematic picture of VY CMa derived from HST data. Arc 2, however, has added complexity. Preliminary results from CO suggest12C/13C ∼ 22–38 across the envelope. The additional presence of at least three major episodic mass ejection events significantly broadens the current perspective of the envelope structure and mass-loss history of VY CMa. -
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Abstract The red hypergiant VY CMa is famous for its very visible record of high-mass-loss events. Recent CO observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) revealed three previously unknown large-scale outflows (Singh et al). In this paper, we use the CO maps to investigate the motions of a cluster of four clumps close to the star, not visible in the optical or infrared images. We present their proper motions measured from two epochs of ALMA images and determine the line-of-sight velocities of the gas in emission at the clumps. We estimate their masses and ages, or time since ejection, and conclude that all four were ejected during VY CMa’s active period in the early 20th century. Together with two additional knots observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, VY CMa experienced at least six massive outflows during a 30 yr period, with a total mass lost ≥0.07
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Abstract A new interstellar molecule, FeC (
X 3Δi ), has been identified in the circumstellar envelope of the carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch star IRC+10216. FeC is the second iron-bearing species conclusively observed in the interstellar medium, in addition to FeCN, also found in IRC+10216. TheJ = 4 → 3, 5 → 4, and 6 → 5 rotational transitions of this free radical near 160, 201, and 241 GHz, respectively, were detected in the lowest spin–orbit ladder, Ω = 3, using the Submillimeter Telescope of the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) for the 1 mm lines and the ARO 12 m at 2 mm. Because the ground state of FeC is inverted, these transitions are the lowest energy lines. The detected features exhibit slight U shapes with LSR velocities nearV LSR≈ −26 km s−1and linewidths of ΔV 1/2≈ 30 km s−1, line parameters characteristic of IRC+10216. Radiative transfer modeling of FeC suggests that the molecule has a shell distribution with peak radius near 300R *(∼6″) extending out to ∼500R *(∼10″) and a fractional abundance, relative to H2, off ∼ 6 × 10−11. The previous FeCN spectra were also modeled, yielding an abundance off ∼ 8 × 10−11in a larger shell situated near 800R *. These distributions suggest that FeC may be the precursor species for FeCN. Unlike cyanides and carbon-chain molecules, diatomic carbides with a metallic element are rare in IRC+10216, with FeC being the first such detection. -
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ABSTRACT The morpho-kinematics of the circumstellar envelope of oxygen-rich AGB star R Leonis is probed using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of the emission of molecular lines, including in particular CO(2–1) and 29SiO(5–4). Evidence is found for an episode of enhanced mass-loss, a few centuries ago, that produced a broad expanding shell of mean radius ∼6 arcsec and mean radial expansion velocity ∼5.5 km s−1. Detailed scrutiny of its structure, as displayed by the emission of the CO(2–1) line, reveals strong inhomogeneity and patchy morphology. Evidence is also found, in particular from the morpho-kinematics of the emission of SiO, SO, and SO2 lines probing the close neighbourhood of the star, for distinct gas outflows covering broad solid angles in the south-eastern, south-western, and north-western quadrants, suggesting significant contribution of the convective cell granulation in defining the pattern of mass ejection. A study of relative molecular abundances in these outflows suggests that a local thermal equilibrium description applies approximately beyond ∼10 stellar radii from the centre of the star but not at the smaller angular separations where the SO and SO2 molecules are found to be confined. Near the stellar disc, masers of the vibrationally excited SiO lines are found to probe north-western parts of a layer of hot gas, consistent with the earlier observation of an asymmetric expanding shell within 1–2 stellar radii from the centre of the star. Globally, a picture dominated by episodic and patchy mass ejections is found to prevail.
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Context. Recently, sensitive wide-bandwidth receivers in the millimetre regime have enabled us to combine large spatial and spectral coverage for observations of molecular clouds. The resulting capability to map the distributions of lines from many molecules simultaneously yields unbiased coverage of the various environments within star-forming regions.Aims. Our aim is to identify the dominant molecular cooling lines and characteristic emission features in the 1.3 mm window of distinct regions in the northern part of the Orion A molecular cloud. By defining and analysing template regions, we also intend to help with the interpretation of observations from more distant sources which cannot be easily spatially resolved.Methods. We analyse an imaging line survey covering the area of OMC-1 to OMC-3 from 200.2 to 281.8 GHz obtained with the PI230 receiver at the APEX telescope. Masks are used to define regions with distinct properties (e.g. column density or temperature ranges) from which we obtain averaged spectra. Lines of 29 molecular species (55 isotopologues) are fitted for each region to obtain the respective total intensity.Results. We find that strong sources like Orion KL have a clear impact on the emission on larger scales. Although not spatially extended, their line emission contributes substantially to spectra averaged over large regions. Conversely, the emission signatures of dense, cold regions like OMC-2 and OMC-3 (e.g. enhanced N2H+emission and low HCN/HNC ratio) seem to be difficult to pick up on larger scales, where they are eclipsed by signatures of stronger sources. In all regions, HCO+appears to contribute between 3 and 6% to the total intensity, the most stable value for all bright species. N2H+shows the strongest correlation with column density, but not with typical high-density tracers like HCN, HCO+, H2CO, or HNC. Common line ratios associated with UV illumination, CN/HNC and CN/HCO+, show ambiguous results on larger scales, suggesting that the identification of UV illuminated material may be more challenging. The HCN/HNC ratio may be related to temperature over varying scales.
