| 1. |
- Bergman, Per, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Emission from HCN and CH3OH in comets Onsala 20-m observations and radiative transfer modelling
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 660
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. The aim of this work is to characterise HCN and CH3OH emission from recent comets. Methods. We used the Onsala 20-m telescope to search for millimetre transitions of HCN towards a sample of 11 recent and mostly bright comets in the period from December 2016 to November 2019. Also, CH3OH was searched for in two comets. The HCN sample includes the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov. For the short-period comet 46P/Wirtanen, we were able to monitor the variation of HCN emission over a time-span of about one month. We performed radiative transfer modelling for the observed molecular emission by also including time-dependent effects due to the outgassing of molecules. Results. HCN was detected in six comets. Two of these are short-period comets and four are long-period. Six methanol transitions were detected in 46P/Wirtanen, enabling us to determine the gas kinetic temperature. From the observations, we determined the molecular production rates using time-dependent radiative transfer modelling. For five comets, we were able to determine that the HCN mixing ratios lie near 0.1% using contemporary water production rates, Q(H2O), taken from other studies. This HCN mixing ratio was also found to be typical in our monitoring observations of 46P/Wirtanen but here we notice deviations of up to 0.2% on a daily timescale which could indicate short-time changes in outgassing activity. From our radiative transfer modelling of cometary comae, we find that time-dependent effects on the HCN level populations are of the order of 5-15% when Q(H2O) is around 2 x 10(28) mol s(-1). The effects may be stronger for comets with lower Q(H2O). The exact details of the time-dependent effects depend on the amount of neutral and electron collisions, radiative pumping, and molecular parameters such as the spontaneous rate coefficient.
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| 2. |
- Wirström, Eva, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of the 3D distribution on water observations made with the SWI: I. Ganymede
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 637
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Characterising and understanding the atmospheres of Jovian icy moons is one of the key exploration goals of the Submillimetre Wave Instrument (SWI), which is to be flown on ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission. Aims. The aim of this paper is to investigate how and under which conditions a 3D asymmetric distribution of the atmosphere may affect the SWI observations. In this work we target the role of phase angle for both nadir and limb geometries for unresolved and partially resolved disc observations from large distances.Methods. We adapted the LIME software package, a 3D non-local thermodynamical equilibrium radiative transfer model, to evaluate ortho-H2O populations and synthesise the simulated SWI beam spectra for different study cases of Ganymede's atmosphere. The temperature and density vertical distributions were adopted from a previous work. The study cases presented here were selected according to the distance and operational scenarios of moon monitoring anticipated for SWI during the Jupiter phase of the JUICE mission. Results. We demonstrate that nadir and limb observations at different phase angles will modify the line amplitude and width. Unresolved observations where both absorption against surface continuum and limb emission contributes within the beam will lead to characteristic line wing emission, which may also appear in pure nadir geometry for specific phase angles. We also find that for Ganymede, the 3D non-local thermodynamical equilibrium populations are more highly excited in the upper atmosphere near the sub-solar region than they are in 1D spherically symmetric models. Finally, the 3D radiative transfer is better suited to properly simulate spectral lines for cases where density or population gradients exist along the line of sight.
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| 3. |
- Bockelée-Morvan, D., et al.
(författare)
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Cometary Isotopic Measurements
- 2015
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Ingår i: Space Science Reviews. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0038-6308 .- 1572-9672. ; 197:1-4, s. 47-83
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Isotopic ratios in comets provide keys for the understanding of the origin of cometary material, and the physical and chemical conditions in the early Solar Nebula. We review here measurements acquired on the D/H, 14N/15N, 16O/18O, 12C/13C, and 32S/34S ratios in cometary grains and gases, and discuss their cosmogonic implications. The review includes analyses of potential cometary material available in collections on Earth, recent measurements achieved with the Herschel Space Observatory, large optical telescopes, and Rosetta, as well as recent results obtained from models of chemical-dynamical deuterium fractionation in the early solar nebula. Prospects for future measurements are presented.
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| 4. |
- Buckle, J. V., et al.
(författare)
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Observations of chemical differentiation in clumpy molecular clouds
- 2006
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Ingår i: Faraday Discussions. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1359-6640 .- 1364-5498. ; 133, s. 63 - 82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have extensively mapped a sample of dense molecular clouds (L1512, TMC-1C, L1262, Per7, L1389, L1251E) in lines of HC 3 N, CH 3 OH, SO and C 18 O. We demonstrate that a high degree of chemical differentiation is present in all of the observed clouds. We analyse the molecular maps for each cloud, demonstrating a systematic chemical differentiation across the sample, which we relate to the evolutionary state of the cloud. We relate our observations to the cloud physical, kinematical and evolutionary properties, and also compare them to the predictions of simple chemical models. The implications of this work for understanding the origin of the clumpy structures and chemical differentiation observed in dense clouds are discussed. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2006.
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| 5. |
- Carl, Tadeus, 1992, et al.
(författare)
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Deep search for glycine conformers in Barnard 5
- 2023
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Ingår i: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 524:4, s. 5993-6003
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One of the most fundamental hypotheses in astrochemistry and astrobiology states that crucial biotic molecules like glycine (NH2CH2COOH) found in meteorites and comets are inherited from early phases of star formation. Most observational searches for glycine in the interstellar medium have focused on warm high-mass molecular cloud sources. However, recent studies suggest that it might be appropriate to shift the observational focus to cold low-mass sources. We aim to detect glycine towards the so-called methanol hotspot in the Barnard 5 dark cloud. The hotspot is a cold source (Tgas ≈ 7.5 K) with yet high abundances of complex organic molecules (COMs) and water in the gas phase. We carried out deep pointed observations with the Onsala 20 m telescope, targeting several transitions of glycine conformers I and II (Gly-I and Gly-II) in the frequency range 70.2-77.9 GHz. No glycine lines are detected towards the targeted position, but we use a line stacking procedure to derive sensitive abundance upper limits w.r.t. H2 for Gly-I and Gly-II, i.e. ≤(2-5) × 10-10 and ≤(0.7-3) × 10-11, respectively. The obtained Gly-II upper limits are the most stringent for a cold source, while the Gly-I upper limits are mostly on the same order as previously measured limits. The measured abundances w.r.t. H2 of other COMs at the B5 methanol hotspot range from 2 × 10-10 (acetaldehyde) to 2 × 10-8 (methanol). Hence, based on a total glycine upper limit of (2-5) × 10-10, we cannot rule out that glycine is present but undetected.
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| 6. |
- Cordiner, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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On the Nature of the Enigmatic Object IRAS 19312+1950: A Rare Phase of Massive Star Formation?
- 2016
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 1538-4357 .- 0004-637X. ; 828:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- IRAS 19312+1950 is a peculiar object that has eluded firm characterization since its discovery, with combined maser properties similar to an evolved star and a young stellar object (YSO). To help determine its true nature, we obtained infrared spectra of IRAS 19312+1950 in the range 5–550 μm using the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories. The Herschel PACS maps exhibit a compact, slightly asymmetric continuum source at 170 μm, indicative of a large, dusty circumstellar envelope. The far-IR CO emission line spectrum reveals two gas temperature components: ≈0.22 solar masses of material at 280 ± 18 K, and ≈1.6 solar masses of material at 157 ± 3 K. The O i 63 μm line is detected on-source but no significant emission from atomic ions was found. The HIFI observations display shocked, high-velocity gas with outflow speeds up to 90 km/s along the line of sight. From Spitzer spectroscopy, we identify ice absorption bands due to H2O at 5.8 μm and CO2 at 15 μm. The spectral energy distribution is consistent with a massive, luminous (~2 × 10^4 solar luminosities) central source surrounded by a dense, warm circumstellar disk and envelope of total mass ~500–700 solar masses, with large bipolar outflow cavities. The combination of distinctive far-IR spectral features suggest that IRAS 19312+1950 should be classified as an accreting, high-mass YSO rather than an evolved star. In light of this reclassification, IRAS 19312+1950 becomes only the fifth high-mass protostar known to exhibit SiO maser activity, and demonstrates that 18 cm OH maser line ratios may not be reliable observational discriminators between evolved stars and YSOs.
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| 7. |
- Cordiner, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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On the ubiquity of molecular anions in the dense interstellar medium
- 2013
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 1538-4357 .- 0004-637X. ; 770:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Results are presented from a survey for molecular anions in seven nearby Galactic star-forming cores and molecular clouds. The hydrocarbon anion C6H- is detected in all seven target sources, including four sources where no anions have been previously detected: L1172, L1389, L1495B, and TMC-1C. The C6H-/C6H column density ratio is greater than or similar to 1.0% in every source, with a mean value of 3.0% (and standard deviation 0.92%). Combined with previous detections, our results show that anions are ubiquitous in dense clouds wherever C6H is present. The C6H-/C6H ratio is found to show a positive correlation with molecular hydrogen number density, and with the apparent age of the cloud. We also report the first detection of C4H- in TMC-1 (at 4.8 sigma confidence), and derive an anion-to-neutral ratio C4H-/C4H = (1.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(-5)(= 0.0012% +/- 0.0004%). Such a low value compared with C6H- highlights the need for a revised radiative electron attachment rate for C4H. Chemical model calculations show that the observed C4H- could be produced as a result of reactions of oxygen atoms with C5H- and C6H-.
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| 8. |
- Cordiner, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Organic chemistry of low-mass star-forming cores I: 7 mm spectroscopy of Chamaeleon MMS1
- 2012
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 1538-4357 .- 0004-637X. ; 744, s. 131-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Observations are presented of emission lines from organic molecules at frequencies 32-50 GHz in the vicinity of Chamaeleon MMS1. This chemically rich dense cloud core harbors an extremely young, very low luminosity protostellar object and is a candidate first hydrostatic core. Column densities are derived and emission maps are presented for species including polyynes, cyanopolyynes, sulphuretted carbon chains, and methanol. The polyyne emission peak lies about 5000 AU from the protostar, whereas methanol peaks about 15,000 AU away. Averaged over the telescope beam, the molecular hydrogen number density is calculated to be 106 cm–3 and the gas kinetic temperature is in the range 5-7 K. The abundances of long carbon chains are very large and are indicative of a non-equilibrium carbon chemistry; C6H and HC7N column densities are 5.9+2.9 –1.3 × 1011 cm–2 and 3.3+8.0 –1.5 × 1012 cm–2, respectively, which are similar to the values found in the most carbon-chain-rich protostars and prestellar cores known, and are unusually large for star-forming gas. Column density upper limits were obtained for the carbon-chain anions C4H– and C6H–, with anion-to-neutral ratios [C4H–]/[C4H]
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| 9. |
- Dore, L., et al.
(författare)
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Doubly 15N-substituted diazenylium: THz laboratory spectra and fractionation models
- 2017
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 604, s. A26-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Isotopic fractionation in dense molecular cores has been suggested as a possible origin of large 14N/15N ratio variations in solar system materials. While chemical models can explain some observed variations with different fractionation patterns for molecules with –NH or –CN functional groups, they fail to reproduce the observed ratios in diazenylium (N2H+).Aims. Observations of doubly 15N-substituted species could provide important constraints and insights for theoretical chemical models of isotopic fractionation. However, spectroscopic data are very scarce.Methods. The rotational spectra of the fully 15N-substituted isopologues of the diazenylium ion, 15N2H+ and 15N2D+, have been investigated in the laboratory well into the THz region by using a source-modulation microwave spectrometer equipped with a negative glow discharge cell. An extended chemical reaction network has been used to estimate what ranges of 15N fractionation in doubly 15N-substituted species could be expected in the interstellar medium (ISM).Results. For each isotopologue of the H- and D-containing pair, nine rotational transitions were accurately measured in the frequency region 88 GHz–1.2 THz. The analysis of the spectrum provided very precise rest frequencies at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths, useful for the radioastronomical identification of the rotational lines of 15N2H+ and 15N2D+ in the ISM.
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| 10. |
- Giers, K., et al.
(författare)
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Similar levels of deuteration in the pre-stellar core L1544 and the protostellar core HH211
- 2023
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 676
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. In the centre of pre-stellar cores, deuterium fractionation is enhanced due to low temperatures and high densities. Therefore, the chemistry of deuterated molecules can be used to probe the evolution and the kinematics in the earliest stages of star formation. Aims. We analyse the deuterium fractionation of simple molecules, comparing the level of deuteration in the envelopes of the prototypical pre-stellar core L1544 in Taurus and the young protostellar core HH211 in Perseus. Methods. We used single-dish observations of CCH, HCN, HNC, and HCO+ and their C-13-, 18O(-), and D-bearing isotopologues, detected with the 20 m telescope at the Onsala Space Observatory. We derived the column densities, and subsequently the carbon isotopic ratios and deuterium fractions of the molecules. Additionally, we used radiative transfer simulations and results from chemical modelling to reproduce the observed molecular lines. We used new collisional rate coefficients for HNC, (HNC)-C-13 DNC, and DCN that consider the hyperfine structure of these molecules. Results. For CCH, we find high levels of deuteration (10%) in both sources, consistent with other carbon chains. We find moderate deuteration of HCN (5-7%), with a slight enhancement towards the protostellar core. Equal levels of deuteration for HNC towards both cores (similar to 8%) indicate that HNC is tracing slightly different layers compared to HCN. We find that the deuterium fraction of HCO+ is enhanced towards HH211, most likely caused by isotope-selective photodissociation of C18O. With radiative transfer, we were able to reproduce the observed lines of CCH, HCN, (HCN)-C-13 HNC, (HNC)-C-13 and DNC towards L1544 as well as CCH, (HCN)-C-13 (HNC)-C-13 DNC, (HCO)-C-13+ HC18O(+) and DCO+ towards HH211. Conclusions. Similar levels of deuteration show that the deuterium fractionation is most probably equally efficient towards both cores, suggesting that the protostellar envelope still retains the chemical composition of the original pre-stellar core. The fact that the two cores are embedded in different molecular clouds also suggests that environmental conditions do not have a significant effect on the deuterium fractionation within dense cores. Our results highlight the uncertainties when dealing with C-13 isotopologues and the influence of the applied carbon isotopic ratio. Radiative transfer modelling shows that it is crucial to include the effects of the hyperfine structure to reproduce the observed line shapes. In addition, to correctly model emission lines from pre-stellar cores, it is necessary to include the outer layers of the core to consider the effects of extended structures. In addition to HCO+ observations, HCN observations towards L1544 also require the presence of an outer diffuse layer where the molecules are relatively abundant.
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