| 1. |
- Wagner, J., et al.
(författare)
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First 230? : GHz VLBI fringes on 3C 279 using the APEX Telescope (Research Note)
- 2015
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 581
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. We report about a 230? GHz very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) fringe finder observation of blazar 3C 279 with the APEX telescope in Chile, the phased submillimeter array (SMA), and the SMT of the Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO). Methods. We installed VLBI equipment and measured the APEX station position to 1? cm accuracy (1σ). We then observed 3C 279 on 2012 May 7 in a 5? h 230? GHz VLBI track with baseline lengths of 2800? Mλ to 7200? Mλ and a finest fringe spacing of 28.6? μas. Results. Fringes were detected on all baselines with signal-to-noise ratios of 12 to 55 in 420? s. The correlated flux density on the longest baseline was ∼0.3? Jy beam-1, out of a total flux density of 19.8? Jy. Visibility data suggest an emission region ≤ 38? μas in size, and at least two components, possibly polarized. We find a lower limit of the brightness temperature of the inner jet region of about 1010? K. Lastly, we find an upper limit of 20% on the linear polarization fraction at a fringe spacing of ∼ 38? μas. Conclusions. With APEX the angular resolution of 230? GHz VLBI improves to 28.6? μas. This allows one to resolve the last-photon ring around the Galactic Center black hole event horizon, expected to be 40? μas in diameter, and probe radio jet launching at unprecedented resolution, down to a few gravitational radii in galaxies like M 87. To probe the structure in the inner parsecs of 3C 279 in detail, follow-up observations with APEX and five other mm-VLBI stations have been conducted (March 2013) and are being analyzed.
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| 2. |
- Belitsky, Victor, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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SEPIA - A new single pixel receiver at the APEX telescope
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 612
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. We describe the new Swedish-ESO PI Instrument for APEX (SEPIA) receiver, which was designed and built by the Group for Advanced Receiver Development (GARD), at Onsala Space Observatory (OSO) in collaboration with ESO. It was installed and commissioned at the APEX telescope during 2015 with an ALMA Band 5 receiver channel and updated with a new frequency channel (ALMA Band 9) in February 2016. Aim. This manuscript aims to provide, for observers who use the SEPIA receiver, a reference in terms of the hardware description, optics and performance as well as the commissioning results. Methods. Out of three available receiver cartridge positions in SEPIA, the two current frequency channels, corresponding to ALMA Band 5, the RF band 158-211 GHz, and Band 9, the RF band 600-722 GHz, provide state-of-the-art dual polarization receivers. The Band 5 frequency channel uses 2SB SIS mixers with an average SSB noise temperature around 45 K with IF (intermediate frequency) band 4-8 GHz for each sideband providing total 4 × 4 GHz IF band. The Band 9 frequency channel uses DSB SIS mixers with a noise temperature of 75-125 K with IF band 4-12 GHz for each polarization. Results. Both current SEPIA receiver channels are available to all APEX observers.
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| 3. |
- 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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| 4. |
- Bjerkeli, Per, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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H2O line mapping at high spatial and spectral resolution Herschel observations of the VLA 1623 outflow
- 2012
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 546, s. Article Number: A29 -
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Apart from being an important coolant, water is known to be a tracer of high-velocity molecular gas. Recent models predict relatively high abundances behind interstellar shockwaves. The dynamical and physical conditions of the water emitting gas, however, are not fully understood yet. Using the Herschel Space Observatory, it is now possible to observe water emission from supersonic molecular outflows at high spectral and spatial resolution. Several molecular outflows from young stars are currently being observed as part of the WISH (Water In Star-forming regions with Herschel) key program. Aims. We aim to determine the abundance and distribution of water, its kinematics, and the physical conditions of the gas responsible for the water emission. The observed line profile shapes help us understand the dynamics in molecular outflows. Methods. We mapped the VLA1623 outflow, in the ground-state transitions of o-H2O, with the HIFI and PACS instruments. We also present observations of higher energy transitions of o-H2O and p-H2O obtained with HIFI and PACS towards selected outflow positions. From comparison with non-LTE radiative transfer calculations, we estimate the physical parameters of the water emitting regions. Results. The observed water emission line profiles vary over the mapped area. Spectral features and components, tracing gas in different excitation conditions, allow us to constrain the density and temperature of the gas. The water emission originates in a region where temperatures are comparable to that of the warm H-2 gas (T greater than or similar to 200 K). Thus, the water emission traces a gas component significantly warmer than the gas responsible for the low-J CO emission. The water column densities at the CO peak positions are low, i.e. N(H2O) similar or equal to (0.03-10) x 10(14) cm(-2). Conclusions. The water abundance with respect to H-2 in the extended outflow is estimated at X(H2O)
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| 5. |
- Bjerkeli, Per, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Herschel observations of the Herbig-Haro objects HH52-54
- 2011
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 533
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The emission from Herbig-Haro objects and supersonic molecular outflows is understood as cooling radiation behind shocks, which are initiated by a (proto-)stellar wind or jet. Within a given object, one often observes both dissociative (J-type) and non-dissociative (C-type) shocks, owing to the collective effects of internally varying shock velocities. Aims. We aim at the observational estimation of the relative contribution to the cooling by CO and H(2)O, as this provides decisive information for understanding the oxygen chemistry behind interstellar shock waves. Methods. The high sensitivity of HIFI, in combination with its high spectral resolution capability, allowed us to trace the H(2)O outflow wings at an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio. From the observation of spectrally resolved H(2)O and CO lines in the HH52-54 system, both from space and from the ground, we arrived at the spatial and velocity distribution of the molecular outflow gas. Solving the statistical equilibrium and non-LTE radiative transfer equations provides us with estimates of the physical parameters of this gas, including the cooling rate ratios of the species. The radiative transfer is based on an accelerated lambda iteration code, where we use the fact that variable shock strengths, distributed along the front, are naturally implied by a curved surface. Results. Based on observations of CO and H(2)O spectral lines, we conclude that the emission is confined to the HH54 region. The quantitative analysis of our observations favours a ratio of the CO-to-H(2)O-cooling-rate >> 1. Formally, we derived the ratio A(CO)/A(o-H(2)O) = 10, which is in good agreement with earlier determination of 7 based on ISO-LWS observations. From the best-fit model to the CO emission, we arrive at an H(2)O abundance close to 1 x 10(-5). The line profiles exhibit two components, one that is triangular and another that is a superposed, additional feature. This additional feature is likely to find its origin in a region that is smaller than the beam where the ortho-water abundance is smaller than in the quiescent gas. Conclusions. Comparison with recent shock models indicate that a planar shock cannot easily explain the observed line strengths and triangular line profiles. We conclude that the geometry can play an important role. Although abundances support a scenario where J-type shocks are present, higher cooling rate ratios are derived than predicted by these types of shocks.
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| 6. |
- Bjerkeli, Per, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Physical properties of outflows Comparing CO- and H2O-based parameters in Class 0 sources
- 2013
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 552
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The observed physical properties of outflows from low-mass sources put constraints on possible ejection mechanisms. Historically, these quantities have been derived from CO using ground-based observations. It is, therefore, important to investigate whether parameters such as momentum rate (thrust) and mechanical luminosity (power) are the same when different molecular tracers are used.Aims. Our objective is to determine the outflow momentum, dynamical time-scale, thrust, energy, and power using CO and H2O as tracers of outflow activity.Methods. Within the framework of the Water In Star-forming regions with Herschel (WISH) key program, three molecular outflows from Class 0 sources have been mapped using the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) instrument aboard Herschel. We used these observations together with previously published H-2 data to infer the physical properties of the outflows. We compared the physical properties derived here with previous estimates based on CO observations.Results. Inspection of the spatial distribution of H2O and H-2 confirms that these molecules are co-spatial. The most prominent emission peaks in H-2 coincide with strong H2O emission peaks and the estimated widths of the flows when using the two tracers are comparable.Conclusions. For the momentum rate and the mechanical luminosity, inferred values are not dependent on which tracer is used, i.e. the values agree to within a factor of 4 and 3, respectively.
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| 7. |
- Desmurs, J. F., et al.
(författare)
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28 SiO j=1-0, v=1, 2 & 3 maser emission from AGB stars
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 2012-October
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The v=1, 2 J=1–0 and v=1 J=2–1 are intense SiO masers, often mapped in AGB stars. Their distribution displays ring-like structures in the regions close to the star. The distribution of the v=1, 2 J=1–0 masers are similar, but the spots are rarely coincident. The v=1 J=2–1 maser ar-rises, however, from a well separated region. It has been argued that this difference can only be explained by models including overlap of two IR lines of SiO and H2O. The v=3 J=1–0 line is not expected to be affected by any line overlap, and its spot structure should be that predicted by the standard models. Our first results on the relative positions of the three lines are surprising but yet consistent with current models including line overlap.
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| 8. |
- Desmurs, J. F., et al.
(författare)
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First VLBA observations of 28SiO J=1-0, v=3 maser emission from AGB stars
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 2014
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The v=1 & v=2 J=1-0 (43 GHz), and v=1 J=2-1 (86 GHz) SiO masers are intense in AGB stars. They have been mapped using VLBI displaying spots ring-like distributions. The rings of the v=1, v=2 J=1-0 masers are similar, but the spots are rarely coincident, while the v=1 J=2-1 maser arises from a well separated region farther out. The v=3 J=1-0 line is not directly affected by any line overlap and its spot structure and position, relative to the other lines, is a good test to the standard pumping models. We present simultaneous single dish and VLBI observations of the v=1, v=2, and v=3 J=1-0 maser transitions of 28SiO in several AGB stars and compare them to model predictions. © Copyright owned by the author(s) under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Licence.
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| 9. |
- Desmurs, J. F., et al.
(författare)
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Preliminary results on SiO v=3 J=1−0 maser emission from AGB stars
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 8:5287, s. 252-253
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the results of SiO maser observations at 43 GHz toward two AGB stars using the VLBA. Our preliminary results on the relative positions of the different J=1–0 SiO masers (v=1,2 and 3) indicate that the current ideas on SiO maser pumping could be wrong at some fundamental level. A deep revision of the SiO pumping models could be necessary.
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| 10. |
- Desmurs, J. F., et al.
(författare)
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SiO masers from AGB stars in the vibrationally excited v=1, v=2, and v=3 states
- 2014
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 565
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The v = 1 and v = 2 J = 1-0 (43 GHz), and v = 1 J = 2-1 (86 GHz) SiO masers are intense in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and have been mapped using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) showing ring-like distributions. Those of the v = 1, v = 2 J = 1-0 masers are similar, but the spots are rarely coincident, while the v = 1 J = 2-1 maser arises from a well-separated region farther out. These relative locations can be explained by models tools that include the overlap of two IR lines of SiO and H2O. The v = 3 J = 1-0 line is not directly affected by any line overlap and its spot structure and position, relative to the other lines, is a good test to the standard pumping models. Aims. The aim of this project are to gain insight into the properties and the general theoretical considerations of the different SiO masers that can help to understand them. Methods. We present single-dish and simultaneous VLBI observations of the v = 1, v = 2, and v = 3 J = 1-0 maser transitions of (SiO)-Si-28 in several AGB stars. The results are compared to the predictions of radiative models of SiO masers that both include and not include the effect of IR line overlap. Results. The spatial distribution of the SiO maser emission in the v = 3 J = 1-0 transition from AGB stars is systematically composed of a series of spots that occupy a ring-like structure (as often found in SiO masers). The overall ring structure is extremely similar to that found in the other 43 GHz transitions and is very different from the structure of the v = 1 J = 2-1 maser. The positions of the individual spots of the different 43 GHz lines are, however, very rarely coincident, which in general is separated by about 0.3 AU (between 1 and 5 mas). These results are very difficult to reconcile with standard pumping models, which predict that the masers of rotational transitions within a given vibrational state require very similar excitation conditions (since the levels are placed practically at the same energy from the ground), while the transitions of different vibrational states (which are separated by an energy of 1800 K) should appear in different positions. However, models including line overlap tend to predict v = 1, v = 2, v = 3 J = 1-0 population inversion to occur under very similar conditions, while the requirements for v = 1 J = 2-1 appear clearly different, and are compatible with the observational results.
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| 11. |
- Desmurs, J.F., et al.
(författare)
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SiO v=3 J=1-0 maser emission from AGB stars
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of Science, 11th European VLBI Network Symposium & Users Meeting.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 12. |
- Liseau, René, 1949, et al.
(författare)
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Multi-line detection of O2 toward rho Ophiuchi A
- 2012
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 541
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Models of pure gas-phase chemistry in well-shielded regions of molecular clouds predict relatively high levels of molecular oxygen, O-2, and water, H2O. These high abundances imply high cooling rates, leading to relatively short timescales for the evolution of gravitationally unstable dense cores, forming stars and planets. Contrary to expectations, the dedicated space missions SWAS and Odin typically found only very small amounts of water vapour and essentially no O-2 in the dense star-forming interstellar medium. Aims. Only toward rho OphA did Odin detect a very weak line of O-2 at 119 GHz in a beam of size 10 arcmin. The line emission of related molecules changes on angular scales of the order of some tens of arcseconds, requiring a larger telescope aperture such as that of the Herschel Space Observatory to resolve the O-2 emission and pinpoint its origin. Methods. We use the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) aboard Herschel to obtain high resolution O-2 spectra toward selected positions in the rho Oph A core. These data are analysed using standard techniques for O2 excitation and compared to recent PDR-like chemical cloud models. Results. The N-J = 3(3)-1(2) line at 487.2 GHz is clearly detected toward all three observed positions in the rho Oph A core. In addition, an oversampled map of the 5(4)-3(4) transition at 773.8 GHz reveals the detection of the line in only half of the observed area. On the basis of their ratios, the temperature of the O-2 emitting gas appears to vary quite substantially, with warm gas (greater than or similar to 50 K) being adjacent to a much colder region, of temperatures lower than 30 K. Conclusions. The exploited models predict that the O-2 column densities are sensitive to the prevailing dust temperatures, but rather insensitive to the temperatures of the gas. In agreement with these models, the observationally determined O-2 column densities do not seem to depend strongly on the derived gas temperatures, but fall into the range N(O-2) = 3 to greater than or similar to 6 x 10(15) cm(-2). Beam-averaged O-2 abundances are about 5 x 10(-8) relative to H-2. Combining the HIFI data with earlier Odin observations yields a source size at 119 GHz in the range of 4 to 5 arcmin, encompassing the entire rho Oph A core. We speculate that one of the reasons for the generally very low detection rate of O-2 is the short period of time during which O-2 molecules are reasonably abundant in molecular clouds.
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| 13. |
- Olofsson, Hans, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Cl line emission from the detached CO shell of the AGB star R Sculptoris
- 2015
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 582, s. 8-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) lose substantial amounts of matter, to the extent that they are important for the chemical evolution of, and dust production in, the Universe. The mass loss is believed to increase gradually with age on the AGB, but it may also occur in the form of bursts, possibly related to the thermal pulsing phenomenon. Detached, geometrically thin, CO shells around carbon stars are good signposts of brief and intense mass ejection. Aims. We aim to put further constraints on the physical properties of detached CO shells around AGB stars. Methods. The photodissociation of CO and other carbon-bearing species in the shells leads to the possibility of detecting lines from neutral carbon. We have therefore searched for the CI(P-3(1) - P-3(0)) line at 492 GHz towards two carbon stars, S Sct and R Scl, with detached CO shells of different ages, approximate to 8000 and 2300 years, respectively. Results. The CI(3P1 3P0) line was detected towards R Scl. The line intensity is dominated by emission from the detached shell. The detection is at a level consistent with the neutral carbon coming from the full photodissociation of all species except CO, and with only limited photoionisation of carbon. The best fit to the observed (CO)-C-12 and (CO)-C-13 line intensities, assuming a homogeneous shell, is obtained for a shell mass of approximate to 0.002M circle dot, a temperature of approximate to 100 K, and a CO abundance with respect to H-2 of 10(-3). The estimated CI/CO abundance ratio is approximate to 0.3 for the best-fit model. However, a number of arguments point in the direction of a clumpy medium, and a viable interpretation of the data within such a context is provided.
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| 14. |
- Olofsson, Hans, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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First detection of methanol towards a post-AGB object, HD 101584
- 2017
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 603, s. L2-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The circumstellar environments of objects on the asymptotic giant branch and beyond are rich in molecular species. Nevertheless, methanol has never been detected in such an object, and is therefore often taken as a clear signpost for a young stellar object. However, we report the first detection of CH3OH in a post-AGB object, HD 101584, using ALMA. Its emission, together with emissions from CO, SiO, SO, CS, and H2CO, comes from two extreme velocity spots on either side of the object where a high-velocity outflow appears to interact with the surrounding medium. We have derived molecular abundances, and propose that the detected molecular species are the effect of a post-shock chemistry where circumstellar grains play a role. We further provide evidence that HD 101584 was a low-mass, M-type AGB star.
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| 15. |
- Olofsson, Hans, 1952, et al.
(författare)
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HD 101584: circumstellar characteristics and evolutionary status
- 2019
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 623
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. There is growing evidence that red giant evolution is often affected by an interplay with a nearby companion, in some cases taking the form of a common-envelope evolution. Aims. We have performed a study of the characteristics of the circumstellar environment of the binary object HD 101584, that provides information on a likely evolutionary scenario. Methods. We have obtained and analysed ALMA observations, complemented with observations using APEX, of a large number of molecular lines. An analysis of the spectral energy distribution has also been performed. Results. Emissions from 12 molecular species (not counting isotopologues) have been observed, and most of them mapped with angular resolutions in the range 0 ''.1-0 ''.6. Four circumstellar components are identified: (i) a central compact source of size approximate to 0 ''.15, (ii) an expanding equatorial density enhancement (a flattened density distribution in the plane of the orbit) of size approximate to 3 '', (iii) a bipolar high-velocity outflow (approximate to 150 km s(-1)), and (iv) an hourglass structure. The outflow is directed almost along the line of sight. There is evidence of a second bipolar outflow. The mass of the circumstellar gas is approximate to 0.5 [D/1 kpc](2) M-circle dot, about half of it lies in the equatorial density enhancement. The dust mass is approximate to 0.01 [D/1 kpc](2) M-circle dot, and a substantial fraction of this is in the form of large-sized, up to 1 mm, grains. The estimated kinetic age of the outflow is approximate to 770 [D/1 kpc] yr. The kinetic energy and the scalar momentum of the accelerated gas are estimated to be 7 x 10(45) [D/1 kpc](2) erg and 10(39) [D/1 kpc](2) g cm s(-1), respectively. Conclusions. We provide good evidence that the binary system HD 101584 is in a post-common-envelope-evolution phase, that ended before a stellar merger. Isotope ratios combined with stellar mass estimates suggest that the primary star's evolution was terminated already on the first red giant branch (RGB). Most of the energy required to drive the outflowing gas was probably released when material fell towards the companion.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Belitsky, Victor, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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A new 3 mm band receiver for the Onsala 20 m antenna
- 2015
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 580
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A new receiver for the Onsala 20 m antenna with the possibility of being equipped with 3 mm and 4 mm bands has been built and the 3 mm channel has been commissioned during the Spring 2014. For single-dish operation, the receiver uses an innovative on-source/off-source optical switch. In combination with additional optical components and within the same optical layout, the switch provides two calibration loads (for the 3 mm and 4 mm channels), sideband rejection measurement, and tuning possibilities. The optical layout of the receiver employs all cold (4 K) offset elliptical mirrors for both channels, whereas the on-off switch employs flat mirrors only. The 3 mm channel employs a sideband separation (2SB) dual polarization receiver with orthomode transducer (OMT), 4-8 GHz intermediate frequency (IF), x? 2pol x? upper and lower sidebands (USB? +? LSB). The cryostat has four optical windows made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) with anti-reflection corrugations, two for the signal and two for each frequency band cold load. The cryostat uses a two-stage cryocooler produced by Sumitomo HI? RDK? 408D2 with anti-vibration suspension of the cold-head to minimize impact of the vibrations on the receiver stability. The local oscillator (LO) system is based on a Gunn oscillator with aphase lock loop (PLL) and four mechanical tuners for broadband operation, providing independently tunable LO power for each polarization. This paper provides a technical description of the receiver and its technology and could be useful for instrumentation engineers and observers using the Onsala 20 m telescope.
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| 18. |
- Bergman, Per, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of interstellar hydrogen peroxide
- 2011
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 531, s. L8-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The molecular species hydrogen peroxide, HOOH, is likely to be a key ingredient in the oxygen and water chemistry in the interstellar medium. Aims. Our aim with this investigation is to determine how abundant HOOH is in the cloud core rho Oph A. Methods. By observing several transitions of HOOH in the (sub)millimeter regime we seek to identify the molecule and also to determine the excitation conditions through a multilevel excitation analysis. Results. We have detected three spectral lines toward the SM1 position of rho Oph A at velocity-corrected frequencies that coincide very closely with those measured from laboratory spectroscopy of HOOH. A fourth line was detected at the 4 sigma level. We also found through mapping observations that the HOOH emission extends (about 0.05 pc) over the densest part of the rho Oph A cloud core. We derive an abundance of HOOH relative to that of H(2) in the SM1 core of about 1 x 10(-10). Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported detection of HOOH in the interstellar medium.
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| 19. |
- Bergman, Per, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Deuterated formaldehyde in rho Ophiuchi A
- 2011
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 527, s. A39-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Formaldehyde is an organic molecule that is abundant in the interstellar medium. High deuterium fractionation is a common feature in low-mass star-forming regions. Observing several isotopologues of molecules is an excellent tool for understanding the formation paths of the molecules. Aims. We seek an understanding of how the various deuterated isotopologues of formaldehyde are formed in the dense regions of low-mass star formation. More specifically, we adress the question of how the very high deuteration levels (several orders of magnitude above the cosmic D/H ratio) can occur using H(2)CO data of the nearby rho Oph A molecular cloud. Methods. From mapping observations of H(2)CO, HDCO, and D(2)CO, we have determined how the degree of deuterium fractionation changes over the central 3' x 3' region of rho Oph A. The multi-transition data of the various H(2)CO isotopologues, as well as from other molecules (e. g., CH(3)OH and N(2)D(+)) present in the observed bands, were analysed using both the standard type rotation diagram analysis and, in selected cases, a more elaborate method of solving the radiative transfer for optically thick emission. In addition to molecular column densities, the analysis also estimates the kinetic temperature and H(2) density. Results. Toward the SM1 core in rho Oph A, the H(2)CO deuterium fractionation is very high. In fact, the observed D(2)CO/HDCO ratio is 1.34 +/- 0.19, while the HDCO/H(2)CO ratio is 0.107 +/- 0.015. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that the D(2)CO/HDCO abundance ratio is observed to be greater than 1. The kinetic temperature is in the range 20-30 K in the cores of rho Oph A, and the H(2) density is (6-10) x 10(5) cm(-3). We estimate that the total H(2) column density toward the deuterium peak is (1-4) x 10(23) cm(-2). As depleted gas-phase chemistry is not adequate, we suggest that grain chemistry, possibly due to abstraction and exchange reactions along the reaction chain H(2)CO --> HDCO --> D(2)CO, is at work to produce the very high deuterium levels observed.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Bergman, Per, 1960, et al.
(författare)
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Submillimetre water masers at 437, 439, 471, and 474 GHz towards evolved stars: APEX observations and radiative transfer modelling*
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 638
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. Here we aim to characterise submillimetre water masers at 437, 439, 471, and 474 GHz towards a sample of evolved stars. Methods. We used the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX(1)) to observe submillimetre water transitions and the CO (4-3) line towards 11 evolved stars. The sample included semi-regular and Mira variables, plus a red supergiant star. We performed radiative transfer modelling for the water masers. We also used the CO observations to determine mass loss rates for the stars. Results. From the sample of 11 evolved stars, 7 display one or more of the masers at 437, 439, 471, and 474 GHz. We therefore find that these masers are common in evolved star circumstellar envelopes. The fact that the maser lines are detected near the stellar velocity indicates that they are likely to originate from the inner circumstellar envelopes of our targets. We tentatively link the presence of masers to the degree of variability of the target star, that is, masers are more likely to be present in Mira variables than in semi-regular variables. We suggest that this indicates the importance of strong shocks in creating the necessary conditions for the masers. Typically, the 437 GHz line is the strongest maser line observed among those studied here. We cannot reproduce the above finding in our radiative transfer models. In general, we find that maser emission is very sensitive to dust temperature in the lines studied here. To produce strong maser emission, the dust temperature must be significantly lower than the gas kinetic temperature. In addition to running grids of models in order to determine the optimum physical conditions for strong masers in these lines, we performed smooth wind modelling for which we cannot reproduce the observed line shapes. This also suggests that the masers must originate predominantly from the inner envelopes.
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| 22. |
- 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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| 23. |
- Claussen, M. J., et al.
(författare)
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A Pilot Imaging Line Survey of RW LMi and IK Tau Using the Expanded Very Large Array
- 2011
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8213 .- 2041-8205. ; 739:1, s. L5-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report on a pilot imaging line survey (36.0-37.0 GHz, with ~1 km s–1 spectral channels) with the Expanded Very Large Array for two asymptotic giant branch stars, RW LMi (= CIT6, which has a carbon-rich circumstellar envelope, CSE) and IK Tau (=NML Tau, with an oxygen-rich CSE). Radio continuum emission consistent with photospheric emission was detected from both stars. From RW LMi we imaged the HC3N (J = 4→3) emission. The images show several partial rings of emission; these multiple shells trace the evolution of the CSE from 400 to 1200 years. SiS (J = 2→1) emission was detected from both RW LMi and IK Tau. For both stars the SiS emission is centrally condensed with the peak line emission coincident with the stellar radio continuum emission. In addition, we have detected weak HC7N (J = 32→31) emission from RW LMi.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Danilovich, Taissa, 1987, et al.
(författare)
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Detailed Modelling of the Circumstellar Envelope of the S-type AGB Star W Aquilae
- 2015
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Ingår i: Why Galaxies Care About AGB Stars III: A Closer Look in Space and Time, Conference on Why Galaxies Care About AGB Stars III: A Closer Look in Space and Time, Vienna JUL 28-AUG 01, 2014. - : ASTRONOMICAL SOC PACIFIC. - 9781583818794 ; 497, s. 219-220
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present new Herschel(1) HIFI (de Graauw et al. 2010) and PACS (Poglitsch et al. 2010) sub-millimeter and far-infrared line observations of several molecular species towards the S-type AGB star W Aql. We use these observations, which probe a wide range of gas temperatures, to constrain the circumstellar properties of W Aql, including mass-loss rate and molecular abundances.
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