| 1. |
- Kirsten, Franz, 1983, et al.
(författare)
-
A repeating fast radio burst source in a globular cluster
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 602:7898, s. 585-589
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are flashes of unknown physical origin1. The majority of FRBs have been seen only once, although some are known to generate multiple flashes2,3. Many models invoke magnetically powered neutron stars (magnetars) as the source of the emission4,5. Recently, the discovery6 of another repeater (FRB 20200120E) was announced, in the direction of the nearby galaxy M81, with four potential counterparts at other wavelengths6. Here we report observations that localized the FRB to a globular cluster associated with M81, where it is 2 parsecs away from the optical centre of the cluster. Globular clusters host old stellar populations, challenging FRB models that invoke young magnetars formed in a core-collapse supernova. We propose instead that FRB 20200120E originates from a highly magnetized neutron star formed either through the accretion-induced collapse of a white dwarf, or the merger of compact stars in a binary system7. Compact binaries are efficiently formed inside globular clusters, so a model invoking them could also be responsible for the observed bursts.
|
|
| 2. |
- Nimmo, K., et al.
(författare)
-
Burst timescales and luminosities as links between young pulsars and fast radio bursts
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature Astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-3366. ; 6:3, s. 393-401
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are extragalactic radio flashes of unknown physical origin. Their high luminosities and short durations require extreme energy densities, such as those found in the vicinity of neutron stars and black holes. Studying the burst intensities and polarimetric properties on a wide range of timescales, from milliseconds down to nanoseconds, is key to understanding the emission mechanism. However, high-time-resolution studies of FRBs are limited by their unpredictable activity levels, available instrumentation and temporal broadening in the intervening ionized medium. Here we show that the repeating FRB 20200120E can produce isolated shots of emission as short as about 60 nanoseconds in duration, with brightness temperatures as high as 3 × 1041 K (excluding relativistic effects), comparable with ‘nano-shots’ from the Crab pulsar. Comparing both the range of timescales and luminosities, we find that FRB 20200120E observationally bridges the gap between known Galactic young pulsars and magnetars and the much more distant extragalactic FRBs. This suggests a common magnetically powered emission mechanism spanning many orders of magnitude in timescale and luminosity. In this Article, we probe a relatively unexplored region of the short-duration transient phase space; we highlight that there probably exists a population of ultrafast radio transients at nanosecond to microsecond timescales, which current FRB searches are insensitive to.
|
|
| 3. |
- Carrasco-Gonzalez, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Observing the onset of outflow collimation in a massive protostar
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 348:6230, s. 114-117
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current paradigm of star formation through accretion disks, and magnetohydrodynamically driven gas ejections, predicts the development of collimated outflows, rather than expansion without any preferential direction. We present radio continuum observations of the massive protostar W75N(B)-VLA 2, showing that it is a thermal, collimated ionized wind and that it has evolved in 18 years from a compact source into an elongated one. This is consistent with the evolution of the associated expanding water-vapor maser shell, which changed from a nearly circular morphology, tracing an almost isotropic outflow, to an elliptical one outlining collimated motions. We model this behavior in terms of an episodic, short-lived, originally isotropic ionized wind whose morphology evolves as it moves within a toroidal density stratification.
|
|
| 4. |
- Gomez, J. F., et al.
(författare)
-
An SiO Toroid and Wide-angle Outflow Associated with the Massive Protostar W75N(B)-VLA2
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8213 .- 2041-8205. ; 956:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have carried out Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of the massive star-forming region W75N(B), which contains the massive protostars VLA1, VLA2, and VLA3. Particularly, VLA2 is an enigmatic protostar associated with a wind-driven H2O maser shell, which has evolved from an almost isotropic outflow to a collimated one in just 20 yr. The shell expansion seemed to be halted by an obstacle located to the northeast of VLA2. Here we present our findings from observing the 1.3 mm continuum and H2CO and SiO emission lines. Within a region of ∼30″ (∼39,000 au) diameter, we have detected 40 compact millimeter continuum sources, three of them coinciding with VLA1, VLA2, and VLA3. While the H2CO emission is mainly distributed in a fragmented structure around the three massive protostars, but without any of the main H2CO clumps spatially coinciding with them, the SiO is highly concentrated on VLA2, indicating the presence of very strong shocks generated near this protostar. The SiO emission is clearly resolved into an elongated structure (∼0.″6 × 0.″3; ∼780 au×390 au) perpendicular to the major axis of the wind-driven maser shell. The structure and kinematics of the SiO emission are consistent with a toroid and a wide-angle outflow surrounding a central mass of ∼10 M ⊙, thus supporting previous theoretical predictions regarding the evolution of the outflow. Additionally, we have identified the expected location and estimated the gas density of the obstacle that is hindering the expansion of the maser shell.
|
|
| 5. |
- Lankhaar, Boy, 1991, et al.
(författare)
-
Quantum-Chemical calculations revealing the effects of magnetic fields on methanol masers
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 13:S336, s. 23-26
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Maser observations of both linearly and circularly polarized emission have provided unique information on the magnetic field in the densest parts of star forming regions, where non-maser magnetic field tracers are scarce. While linear polarization observations provide morphological constraints, magnetic field strengths are determined by measuring the Zeeman splitting in circularly polarized emission. Methanol is of special interest as it is one of the most abundant maser species and its different transitions probe unique areas around the protostar. However, its precise Zeeman-parameters are unknown. Experimental efforts to determine these Zeeman-parameters have failed. Here we present quantum-chemical calculations of the Zeeman-parameters of methanol, along with calculations of the hyperfine structure that are necessary to interpret the Zeeman effect in methanol. We use this model in re-analyzing methanol maser polarization observations. We discuss different mechanisms for hyperfine-state preference in the pumping of torsion-rotation transitions involved in the maser-action.
|
|
| 6. |
- Nimmo, K., et al.
(författare)
-
Milliarcsecond Localization of the Repeating FRB 20201124A
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - : American Astronomical Society. - 2041-8213 .- 2041-8205. ; 927:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) localizations of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) have demonstrated a diversity of local environments: from nearby star-forming regions to globular clusters. Here we report the VLBI localization of FRB 20201124A using an ad hoc array of dishes that also participate in the European VLBI Network (EVN). In our campaign, we detected 18 bursts from FRB 20201124A at two separate epochs. By combining the visibilities from both epochs, we were able to localize FRB 20201124A with a 1 sigma uncertainty of 2.7 mas. We use the relatively large burst sample to investigate astrometric accuracy and find that for greater than or similar to 20 baselines (greater than or similar to 7 dishes) we can robustly reach milliarcsecond precision even using single-burst data sets. Subarcsecond precision is still possible for single bursts, even when only similar to 6 baselines (four dishes) are available. In such cases, the limited uv coverage for individual bursts results in very high side-lobe levels. Thus, in addition to the peak position from the dirty map, we also explore smoothing the structure in the dirty map by fitting Gaussian functions to the fringe pattern in order to constrain individual burst positions, which we find to be more reliable. Our VLBI work places FRB 20201124A 710 +/- 30 mas (1 sigma uncertainty) from the optical center of the host galaxy, consistent with originating from within the recently discovered extended radio structure associated with star formation in the host galaxy. Future high-resolution optical observations, e.g., with Hubble Space Telescope, can determine the proximity of FRB 20201124A's position to nearby knots of star formation.
|
|
| 7. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions: III. the flux-limited sample
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 578
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Theoretical simulations and observations at different angular resolutions have shown that magnetic fields have a central role in massive star formation. Like in low-mass star formation, the magnetic field in massive young stellar objects can either be oriented along the outflow axis or randomly. Aims. Measuring the magnetic field at milliarcsecond resolution (10-100 au) around a substantial number of massive young stellar objects permits determining with a high statistical significance whether the direction of the magnetic field is correlated with the orientation of the outflow axis or not. Methods. In late 2012, we started a large VLBI campaign with the European VLBI Network to measure the linearly and circularly polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers around a sample of massive star-forming regions. This paper focuses on the first seven observed sources, G24.78+0.08, G25.65+1.05, G29.86-0.04, G35.03+0.35, G37.43+1.51, G174.20-0.08, and G213.70-12.6. For all these sources, molecular outflows have been detected in the past. Results. We detected a total of 176 CH3OH masing cloudlets toward the seven massive star-forming regions, 19% of which show linearly polarized emission. The CH3OH masers around the massive young stellar object MM1 in G174.20-0.08 show neither linearly nor circularly polarized emission. The linear polarization vectors are well ordered in all the other massive young stellar objects. We measured significant Zeeman splitting toward both A1 and A2 in G24.78+0.08, and toward G29.86-0.04 and G213.70-12.6. Conclusions. By considering all the 19 massive young stellar objects reported in the literature for which both the orientation of the magnetic field at milliarcsecond resolution and the orientation of outflow axes are known, we find evidence that the magnetic field (on scales 10-100 au) is preferentially oriented along the outflow axes.
|
|
| 8. |
- Dall` Olio, Daria, 1981, et al.
(författare)
-
ALMA reveals the magnetic field evolution in the high-mass star forming complex G9.62+0.19
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 626
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The role of magnetic fields during the formation of high-mass stars is not yet fully understood, and the processes related to the early fragmentation and collapse are as yet largely unexplored. The high-mass star forming region G9.62+0.19 is a well known source, presenting several cores at different evolutionary stages. Aims. We seek to investigate the magnetic field properties at the initial stages of massive star formation. We aim to determine the magnetic field morphology and strength in the high-mass star forming region G9.62+0.19 to investigate its relation to the evolutionary sequence of the cores. Methods. We made use of Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations in full polarisation mode at 1 mm wavelength (Band 7) and we analysed the polarised dust emission. We estimated the magnetic field strength via the Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi and structure function methods. Results. We resolve several protostellar cores embedded in a bright and dusty filamentary structure. The polarised emission is clearly detected in six regions: two in the northern field and four in the southern field. Moreover the magnetic field is orientated along the filament and appears perpendicular to the direction of the outflows. The polarisation vectors present ordered patterns and the cores showing polarised emission are less fragmented. We suggest an evolutionary sequence of the magnetic field, and the less evolved hot core exhibits a stronger magnetic field than the more evolved hot core. An average magnetic field strength of the order of 11 mG was derived, from which we obtain a low turbulent-to-magnetic energy ratio, indicating that turbulence does not significantly contribute to the stability of the clump. We report a detection of linear polarisation from thermal line emission, probably from methanol or carbon dioxide, and we tentatively compared linear polarisation vectors from our observations with previous linearly polarised OH masers observations. We also compute the spectral index, column density, and mass for some of the cores. Conclusions. The high magnetic field strength and smooth polarised emission indicate that the magnetic field could play an important role in the fragmentation and the collapse process in the star forming region G9.62+019 and that the evolution of the cores can be magnetically regulated. One core shows a very peculiar pattern in the polarisation vectors, which can indicate a compressed magnetic field. On average, the magnetic field derived by the linear polarised emission from dust, thermal lines, and masers is pointing in the same direction and has consistent strength.
|
|
| 9. |
- Dall` Olio, Daria, 1981, et al.
(författare)
-
Methanol masers reveal the magnetic field of the high-mass protostar IRAS 18089-1732
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 607
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © ESO, 2017. Context. The importance of the magnetic field in high-mass-star formation is not yet fully clear and there are still many open questions concerning its role in the accretion processes and generation of jets and outflows. In the past few years, masers have been successfully used to probe the magnetic field morphology and strength at scales of a few au around massive protostars, by measuring linear polarisation angles and Zeeman splitting. The massive protostar IRAS 18089-1732 is a well studied high-mass-star forming region, showing a hot core chemistry and a disc-outflow system. Previous SMA observations of polarised dust revealed an ordered magnetic field oriented around the disc of IRAS 18089-1732. Aims. We want to determine the magnetic field in the dense region probed by 6.7 GHz methanol maser observations and compare it with observations in dust continuum polarisation, to investigate how the magnetic field in the compact maser region relates to the large-scale field around massive protostars. Methods. We reduced MERLIN observations at 6.7 GHz of IRAS 18089-1732 and we analysed the polarised emission by methanol masers. Results. Our MERLIN observations show that the magnetic field in the 6.7 GHz methanol maser region is consistent with the magnetic field constrained by the SMA dust polarisation observations. A tentative detection of circularly polarised line emission is also presented. Conclusions. We found that the magnetic field in the maser region has the same orientation as in the disk. Thus the large-scale field component, even at the au scale of the masers, dominates over any small-scale field fluctuations. We obtained, from the circular polarisation tentative detection, a field strength along the line of sight of 5.5 mG which appeared to be consistent with the previous estimates.
|
|
| 10. |
- Dall` Olio, Daria, 1981, et al.
(författare)
-
Polarisation properties of methanol masers
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 644
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context Astronomical masers have been effective tools in the study of magnetic fields for years. Observations of the linear and circular polarisation of different maser species allow for the determination of magnetic field properties, such as morphology and strength. In particular, methanol can be used to probe different parts of protostars, such as accretion discs and outflows, since it produces one of the strongest and the most commonly observed masers in massive star-forming regions. Aims We investigate the polarisation properties of selected methanol maser transitions in light of newly calculated methanol Landé g-factors and in consideration of hyperfine components. We compare our results with previous observations and evaluate the effect of preferred hyperfine pumping and non-Zeeman effects. Methods We ran simulations using the radiative transfer code, CHAMP, for different magnetic field values, hyperfine components, and pumping efficiencies. Results We find a dependence between the linear polarisation fraction and the magnetic field strength as well as the hyperfine transitions. The circular polarisation fraction also shows a dependence on the hyperfine transitions. Preferred hyperfine pumping can explain some high levels of linear and circular polarisation and some of the peculiar features seen in the S-shape of observed V-profiles. By comparing a number of methanol maser observations taken from the literature with our simulations, we find that the observed methanol masers are not significantly affected by non-Zeeman effects related to the competition between stimulated emission rates and Zeeman rates, such as the rotation of the symmetry axis. We also consider the relevance of other non-Zeeman effects that are likely to be at work for modest saturation levels, such as the effect of magnetic field changes along the maser path and anisotropic resonant scattering. Conclusions Our models show that for methanol maser emission, both the linear and circular polarisation percentages depend on which hyperfine transition is masing and the degree to which it is being pumped. Since non-Zeeman effects become more relevant at high values of brightness temperatures, it is important to obtain good estimates of these quantities and the maser beaming angles. Better constraints on the brightness temperature will help improve our understanding of the extent to which non-Zeeman effects contribute to the observed polarisation percentages. In order to detect separate hyperfine components, an intrinsic thermal line width that is significantly smaller than the hyperfine separation is required.
|
|
| 11. |
- Goddi, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Measuring magnetic fields from water masers in the synchrotron protostellar jet in W3(H 2 O)
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 597
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Magnetic fields are invoked to launch, drive, and shape jets in both low- and high-mass protostars, but observational data on the spatial scales required to assess their role in the protostellar mass-loss process is still scarce. Aims. The Turner-Welch (TW) object in the W3(OH) high-mass star-forming complex drives a synchrotron jet, which is quite exceptional for a high-mass protostar, and is associated with a strongly polarized H2O maser source, W3(H2O), making it an optimal target to investigate the role of magnetic fields on the innermost scales of protostellar disk-jet systems. Methods. We report full polarimetric VLBA observations of H2O masers towards W3(H2O). Their linearly polarized emission provides clues on the orientation of the local magnetic field (on the plane of the sky), while the measurement of the Zeeman splitting provides its strength (along the line-of-sight). The linear scales probed by H2O masers are tens to hundreds of AU (at the W3(H2O) distance, ~2 kpc), inaccessible to other star-formation tracers. Results. We identified a total of 148 individual maser features and we measured their physical properties. Out of 148, we measured linear polarization in 34 features, with a fractional percentage varying in the range 0.9-42%, making W3(H2O) the highest-polarized H2O maser source observed with VLBI known in the Galaxy. The H2O masers trace a bipolar, biconical outflow at the center of the synchrotron jet. Although on scales of a few thousand AU the magnetic field inferred from the masers is on average orientated along the flow axis, on smaller scales (10s to 100s of AU), we have revealed a misalignment between the magnetic field and the velocity vectors, which arises from the compression of the field component along the shock front. We also detected circularly polarized emission toward ten maser features, with a fractional percentage varying in the range 0.2-1.6%. In the gas shocked by the synchrotron jet, we estimate a total field strength in the range ~100-300 mG (at densities of 109 cm-3). We conclude that fields of this order of magnitude are expected if the observed polarized water masers emerge behind magnetically supported shocks which, propagating in the W3(H2O) hot core (with an initial density of order of 107 cm-3), compress and enhance the field component perpendicular to the shock velocity (with an initial field strength of a few mG). We constrain the magnetic field strength in the pre-shock circumstellar gas (which is dominated by the component parallel to the flow motion) to at least 10-20 mG (at densities of 107 cm-3), consistent with previous estimates from a synchrotron jet model and dust polarization measurements. Conclusions. In W3(H2O), the magnetic field would evolve from having a dominant component parallel to the outflow velocity in the pre-shock gas, with field strengths of the order of a few tens of mG, to being mainly dominated by the perpendicular component of order of a few hundred of mG in the post-shock gas where the H2O masers are excited. The general implication is that in the undisturbed (i.e., not-shocked) circumstellar gas, the flow velocities would follow closely the magnetic field lines, while in the shocked gas the magnetic field would be reconfigured to be parallel to the shock front.
|
|
| 12. |
- Kang, Ji-hyun, et al.
(författare)
-
Linear polarisation of Class i methanol masers in massive star formation regions
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 13:S336, s. 243-246
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the results of the linear polarisation observations of methanol masers at 44 and 95 GHz towards 39 massive star forming regions (Kang et al. 2016). These two lines are observed simultaneously with the 21-m Korean VLBI Network (KVN) telescope in single dish mode. About 60% of the observed showed fractional polarisation of a few percents at least at one of the two transition lines. We note that the linear polarisation of the 44 GHz methanol maser is first detected in this study including single dish and interferometer observations. We find the polarisation properties of these two lines are similar as expected, since they trace similar regions. As a follow-up study, we have carried out the VLBI polarisation observations toward some 44 GHz maser targets using the KVN telescope. We present preliminary VLBI polarisation results of G10.34-0.14, which show consistent polarisation properties in multiple epoch observations.
|
|
| 13. |
- Lankhaar, Boy, 1991, et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of methanol as a magnetic field tracer in star-forming regions
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Nature Astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2397-3366. ; 2, s. 145-150
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Magnetic fields play an important role during star formation1. Direct magnetic field strength observations have proven particularly challenging in the extremely dynamic protostellar phase2,3,4. Because of their occurrence in the densest parts of star-forming regions, masers, through polarization observations, are the main source of magnetic field strength and morphology measurements around protostars2. Of all maser species, methanol is one of the strongest and most abundant tracers of gas around high-mass protostellar disks and in outflows. However, as experimental determination of the magnetic characteristics of methanol has remained largely unsuccessful5, a robust magnetic field strength analysis of these regions could hitherto not be performed. Here, we report a quantitative theoretical model of the magnetic properties of methanol, including the complicated hyperfine structure that results from its internal rotation6. We show that the large range in values of the Landé g factors of the hyperfine components of each maser line lead to conclusions that differ substantially from the current interpretation based on a single effective g factor. These conclusions are more consistent with other observations7,8 and confirm the presence of dynamically important magnetic fields around protostars. Additionally, our calculations show that (nonlinear) Zeeman effects must be taken into account to further enhance the accuracy of cosmological electron-to-proton mass ratio determinations using methanol9,10,11,12.
|
|
| 14. |
- Lankhaar, Boy, 1991, et al.
(författare)
-
Maser polarization through anisotropic pumping
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 683
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Polarized emission from masers is an excellent tool to study magnetic fields in maser sources. The linear polarization of the majority of masers is understood as an interplay of maser saturation and anisotropic pumping. However, for the latter mechanism, no quantitative modeling has been presented yet. Aims. We aim to construct a comprehensive model of maser polarization, including quantitative modeling of both anisotropic pumping and the effects of maser saturation on the polarization of masers. Methods. We extended regular (isotropic) maser excitation modeling with a dimension that describes the molecular population alignments, as well as including the linear polarization dimension to the radiative transfer. The results of the excitation analysis yielded the anisotropic pumping and decay parameters, which were subsequently used in one-dimensional proper maser polarization radiative transfer modeling. Results. We present the anisotropic pumping parameters for a variety of transitions from class I CH3OH masers, H2O masers, and SiO masers. SiO masers are highly anisotropically pumped due to them occurring in the vicinity of a late-type star, which irradiates the maser region with a strong directional radiation field. Class I CH3OH masers and H2O masers occur in association with shocks, and they are modestly anisotropically pumped due to the anisotropy of the excitation region. Conclusions. Our modeling constitutes the first quantitative constraints on the anisotropic pumping of masers. We find that anisotropic pumping can explain the high polarization yields of SiO masers, as well as the modest polarization of unsaturated class I CH3OH masers. The common 22 GHz H2O maser has a relatively weak anisotropic pumping; in contrast, we predict that the 183 GHz H2O maser is strongly anisotropically pumped. Finally, we outline a mechanism through which non-Zeeman circular polarization is produced, when the magnetic field changes direction along the propagation through an anisotropically pumped maser.
|
|
| 15. |
- Robishaw, T., et al.
(författare)
-
Measuring magnetic fields near and far with the SKA via the zeeman effect
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 9-13-June-2014
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The measurement of Zeeman splitting in spectral lines-both in emission and absorption-can provide direct estimates of the magnetic field strength and direction in atomic and molecular clouds, both in our own MilkyWay and in external galaxies. This method will probe the magnetic field in the warm and cold neutral components of the interstellar medium, providing a complement to the extensive SKA Faraday studies planning to probe the field in the ionized components.
|
|
| 16. |
- Rodriguez-Kamenetzky, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Characterizing the radio continuum nature of sources in the massive star-forming region W75N (B)
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 496:3, s. 3128-3141
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The massive star-forming region W75N (B) is thought to host a cluster of massive protostars (VLA 1, VLA 2, and VLA 3) undergoing different evolutionary stages. In this work, we present radio continuum data with the highest sensitivity and angular resolution obtained to date in this region, using the VLA-A and covering a wide range of frequencies (4-48 GHz), which allowed us to study the morphology and the nature of the emission of the different radio continuum sources. We also performed complementary studies with multi-epoch Very Large Array (VLA) data and Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) archive data at 1.3 mm wavelength. We find that VLA 1 is driving a thermal radio jet at scales of approximate to 0.1 arcsec (approximate to 130 au), but also shows signs of an incipient hypercompact HII region at scales of less than or similar to 1 arcsec (less than or similar to 1300 au). VLA 3 is also driving a thermal radio jet at scales of a few tenths of arcsec (few hundred of au). We conclude that this jet is shock exciting the radio continuum sources Bc and VLA 4 (obscured Herbig-Haro objects), which show proper motions moving outward from VLA 3 at velocities of approximate to 112-118 km s(-1). We have also detected three new weak radio continuum sources, two of them associated with millimetre continuum cores observed with ALMA, suggesting that these two sources are also embedded young stellar objects in this massive star-forming region.
|
|
| 17. |
- Sanna, A., et al.
(författare)
-
Velocity and magnetic fields within 1000 AU of a massive YSO
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 583, s. L3-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: We study the velocity and magnetic field morphology in the vicinity ( 600 AU) of the molecular envelope, where the magnetic field orientation shows a smooth change with the maser cloudlets position (0.2° AU-1). Overall, the velocity field vectors accommodate the local magnetic field direction well, but still show an average misalignment of 30°. We interpret this finding as the contribution of a turbulent velocity field of about 3.5 km s-1, which would be responsible for breaking up the alignment between the velocity and magnetic field vectors. We do resolve different gas flows that develop both along the outflow axis and across the disk plane and that have an average speed of 7 km s-1. In the direction of the outflow axis, we establish a collimation of the gas flow at a distance of about 1000 AU from the disk plane. In the disk region, gas appears to stream outward along the disk plane for radii greater than 500-600 AU and inward for shorter radii.
|
|
| 18. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
6.7 GHz CH 3 OH masers polarization in massive star-forming regions: The Flux-Limited Sample
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 428
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The formation process of high-mass stars (M > 8Msun) is still unclear; this is mainly due to their fast evolution and large distances that make difficult to observe them in details. The observational and theoretical efforts made in the last decades have shown that a common and essential component in the formation of high-mass stars is the presence of molecular outflows during the protostellar phase, similarly to what is observed during the formation of low-mass stars. Theoretically, it has been convincingly demonstrated that the magnetic field plays an important role in launching and shaping molecular outflows in massive young stellar objects (YSOs). Therefore, providing new observational measurements of magnetic fields close (10s-100s au) to massive YSOs is of great importance. More than 10 years ago we started a large EVN campaign to measure the magnetic field orientation and strength toward a sample of 30 massive star-forming regions, called the "Flux-Limited sample", by observing the polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers. Here, we present a summary of the final statistics of the Flux-Limited sample, extensively reported in [1], which are focused on the relative orientation of the outflows with the magnetic fields and on the polarized characteristics of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers.
|
|
| 19. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 541
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The role of magnetic fields in the formation of high-mass stars is still under debate, and recent measurements of their orientation and strength by using polarized maser emissions are contributing new insights. Masers polarization, in particular of the 6.7-GHz methanol masers, are one of the best probes of the magnetic field morphologies around massive protostars.Aims. Determining the magnetic field morphology around an increasing number of massive protostars at milliarcsecond resolution by observing 6.7-GHz methanol masers is crucial to better understand the role of magnetic fields in massive star formation.Methods. The First EVN Group consists of 4 massive star-forming complexes: W51, W48, IRAS 18556+0138, and W3(OH). These contain well-studied H II regions from some of which molecular bipolar outflows were also detected (W51-e2, G35.20-0.74N). Nine of the European VLBI Network (EVN) antennas were used to measure the linear polarization and Zeeman-splitting of the 6.7-GHz methanol masers in the star-forming regions of the First EVN Group.Results. We detected a total of 154 CH3OH masers, one third of these towards W3(OH). Fractional linear polarization (1.2-11.5%) was detected towards 55 CH3OH masers. The linear polarization vectors are well-ordered in all the massive star-forming regions. We measured significant Zeeman-splitting in 3 massive star-forming regions (W51, W48, and W3(OH)) revealing a range of separations -3.5 ms(-1)
|
|
| 20. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions: II. First statistical results
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 556:Aug., s. article no. A73-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Magnetic fields have only recently been included in theoretical simulations of high-mass star formation. The simulations show that magnetic fields play an important role in the formation and dynamics of molecular outflows. Masers, in particular 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers, are the best probes of the magnetic field morphologies around massive young stellar objects on the smallest scales of 10-100 AU. Aims. Providing new observational measurements of the morphology of magnetic fields around massive young stellar objects by using 6.7-GHz CH3OH maser emission is very important for setting constraints on the numerical simulations of massive star formation. Methods. This paper focuses on 4 massive young stellar objects, IRAS 06058+2138-NIRS 1, IRAS 22272+6358A, S255-IR, and S231, which complement our previous 2012 sample (the first EVN group). From all these sources, molecular outflows have been detected in the past. Seven of the European VLBI Network antennas were used to measure the linear polarization and Zeeman-splitting of the 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers in the star-forming regions in this second EVN group. Results. We detected a total of 128 CH3OH masing cloudlets. Fractional linear polarization (0.8%-11.3%) was detected towards 18% of the CH3OH masers in our sample. The linear polarization vectors are well ordered in all the massive young stellar objects. We measured significant Zeeman-splitting in IRAS 06058+2138-NIRS 1 (ΔVZ = 3.8 ± 0.6 m s-1) and S255-IR (ΔVZ = 3.2 ± 0.7 m s-1). Conclusions. By considering the 20 massive young stellar objects towards which the morphology of magnetic fields was determined by observing 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers in both hemispheres, we find no evident correlation between the linear distributions of CH3OH masers and the outflows or the linear polarization vectors. On the other hand, we present first statistical evidence that the magnetic field (on scales 10-100 AU) is primarily oriented along the large-scale outflow direction. Moreover, we empirically find that the linear polarization fraction of unsaturated CH 3OH masers is Pl
|
|
| 21. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions: IV. Magnetic field strength limits and structure for seven additional sources
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 623
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Magnetohydrodynamical simulations show that the magnetic field can drive molecular outflows during the formation of massive protostars. The best probe to observationally measure both the morphology and the strength of this magnetic field at scales of 10-100 au is maser polarization. Aims. We measure the direction of magnetic fields at milliarcsecond resolution around a sample of massive star-forming regions to determine whether there is a relation between the orientation of the magnetic field and of the outflows. In addition, by estimating the magnetic field strength via the Zeeman splitting measurements, the role of magnetic field in the dynamics of the massive star-forming region is investigated. Methods. We selected a flux-limited sample of 31 massive star-forming regions to perform a statistical analysis of the magnetic field properties with respect to the molecular outflows characteristics. We report the linearly and circularly polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers towards seven massive star-forming regions of the total sample with the European VLBI Network. The sources are: G23.44-0.18, G25.83-0.18, G25.71-0.04, G28.31-0.39, G28.83-0.25, G29.96-0.02, and G43.80-0.13. Results. We identified a total of 219 CH3OH maser features, 47 and 2 of which showed linearly and circularly polarized emission, respectively. We measured well-ordered linear polarization vectors around all the massive young stellar objects and Zeeman splitting towards G25.71-0.04 and G28.83-0.25. Thanks to recent theoretical results, we were able to provide lower limits to the magnetic field strength from our Zeeman splitting measurements. Conclusions. We further confirm (based on ∼80% of the total flux-limited sample) that the magnetic field on scales of 10-100 au is preferentially oriented along the outflow axes. The estimated magnetic field strength of |B||| > 61 mG and >21 mG towards G25.71-0.04 and G28.83-0.25, respectively, indicates that it dominates the dynamics of the gas in both regions.
|
|
| 22. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
EVN observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser polarization in massive star-forming regions V. Completion of the flux-limited sample
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 658
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Although the role of magnetic fields in launching molecular outflows in massive young stellar objects has been convincingly demonstrated by theoretical arguments, observationally, the alignment of the magnetic field lines with the molecular outflows is still under debate. Aims. We aim to complete the measurements of the direction of the magnetic fields at milliarcsecond resolution around a sample of massive star-forming regions to determine whether the magnetic field and outflows are aligned. Methods. In 2012, we started a large very long baseline interferometry campaign with the European VLBI Network to measure the magnetic field orientation and strength toward a sample of 31 massive star-forming regions (called the flux-limited sample) by analyzing the polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers. In the previous papers of the series, we have presented 80% of the sample. Here, we report the linearly and circularly polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers toward the last five massive star-forming regions of the flux-limited sample. The sources are G30.70-0.07, G30.76-0.05, G31.28+0.06, G32.03+0.06, and G69.52-0.97. Results. We detected a total of 209 CH3OH maser cloudlets, 15% of which show linearly polarized emission (0.07-16.7%), and 2% of which show circularly polarized emission (0.2-4.2%). As reported in previous papers, in the last five sources of the flux-limited sample, we also measured well-ordered linear polarization vectors. Zeeman splitting was measured toward G30.70-0.07, G32.03+0.06, and G69.52-0.97. Conclusions. The statistical analysis of the entire flux-limited sample shows that the observations are consistent with a bimodal distribution in the difference between the 3D magnetic field direction and the outflow axis, with half the magnetic field directions being perpendicular and the other half being parallel to the outflow. In addition, we determined that typical values of the linear and circular polarization fractions for 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers are P-1 = 1.0-2.5% and P-V = 0.5-0.75%, respectively. From the circularly polarized spectra of the CH3OH maser features, we found that a typical Zeeman splitting is in the range between 0.5 m s(-1) and 2.0 m s(-1). This would correspond to 9 mG < vertical bar B-parallel to vertical bar < 40 mG if F = 3 -> 4 is the most favored of the eight hyperfine transitions that might contribute to the maser emission.
|
|
| 23. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
High resolution magnetic field measurements in high-mass star-forming regions using masers
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 8:5287, s. 69-73
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The bright and narrow spectral line emission of masers is ideal for measuring the Zeeman-splitting as well as for determining the orientation of magnetic fields in 3-dimensions around massive protostars. Recently, polarization observations at milliarcsecond resolution of 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers have uniquely been able to resolve the morphology of magnetic fields close to massive protostars. The observations reveal that the magnetic fields are along outflows and/or on the surfaces of circumstellar tori. Here we present three different examples selected from a total number of 7 massive star-forming regions that were investigated at 6.7-GHz with the EVN in the last years.
|
|
| 24. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Magnetic field measurements around massive young stellar objects with the EVN
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 344
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although there has been significant progresses in the last years, the formation process of high-mass stars (M>8 Msun) is still unclear. This is mainly due to the fast evolution and large distances of the massive young stellar objects (YSOs) that make difficult to observe, with fine details, a sufficient number of massive YSOs at each evolutionary stages. However, in the last 10 years some pieces of information regarding the gas motion and the magnetic field close to the YSOs have been gathered by observing and analyzing the maser emission of mainly water and methanol molecules. In particular, we have performed full polarization observations of 6.7 GHz methanol masers and/or 22 GHz water maser with the European VLBI Network (EVN) towards a large number of sources in order to provide measurements of magnetic fields orientation and strength at milliarcsecond resolution around massive protostars. These measurements can be made at this high angular resolution only by observing and analyzing the polarized emission of masers. From the linearly and circularly polarized emissions we can determine the orientation and the strength of the magnetic field, respectively. Here, we present the updated statistics of the possible alignment between the magnetic field and the bipolar outflows ejected from the massive protostars. In addition, and for the first time, we will provide lower limits of the magnetic field strength measured from the Zeeman-splitting of the methanol maser by using the very recently determined Landé g-factors for the methanol maser transitions. Furthermore, the up-to-date results of the monitoring project of the 22 GHz water masers detected towards the massive star-forming region W75N(B) will be also presented.
|
|
| 25. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Magnetic field measurements at milliarcsecond resolution around massive young stellar objects
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Magnetic fields have only recently been included in theoretical simulations of high-mass star formation. The simulations show that magnetic fields can play a crucial role not only in the formation and dynamics of molecular outflows, but also in the evolution of circumstellar disks. Therefore, new measurements of magnetic fields at milliarcsecond resolution close to massive young stellar objects (YSOs) are fundamental for providing new input for numerical simulations and for understanding the formation process of massive stars. The polarized emission of 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers allows us to investigate the magnetic field close to the massive YSO where the outflows and disks are formed. Recently, we have detected with the EVN CH3OH maser polarized emission towards 10 massive YSOs. From a first statistical analysis we have found evidence that magnetic fields are primarily oriented along the molecular outflows. To improve our statistics we are carrying on a large observational EVN campaign for a total of 19 sources, the preliminary results of the first seven sources are presented in this contribution. Furthermore, we also describe our efforts to estimate the Landé g-factors of the CH3OH maser transition to determine the magnetic field strength from our Zeeman-splitting measurements. © Copyright owned by the author(s) under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Licence.
|
|
| 26. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Maser Polarization
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 13:S336, s. 27-32
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Through the observations and the analysis of maser polarization it is possible to measure the magnetic field in several astrophysical environments (e.g., star-forming regions, evolved stars). In particular from the linearly and circularly polarized emissions we can determine the orientation and the strength of the magnetic field, respectively. In these proceedings the implications, on observed data, of the new estimation of the Landé g-factors for the CH3OH maser are presented. Furthermore, some example of the most recent results achieved in observing the polarized maser emission from several maser species will also be reported.
|
|
| 27. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Monitoring of the polarized H 2 O maser emission around the massive protostars W75N(B)-VLA 1 and W75N(B)-VLA 2
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 673
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Several radio sources have been detected in the high-mass star-forming region W75N(B), with the massive young stellar objects VLA 1 and VLA 2 shown to be of particular interest among them. These objects are thought to be at different evolutionary stages: VLA 1 is in the early stage of photoionization and driving a thermal radio jet, while VLA 2 is a thermal, collimated ionized wind surrounded by a dusty disk or envelope. In both sources, 22 GHz H2O masers have been detected in the past. Those around VLA 1 show a persistent linear distribution along the thermal radio jet, while those around VLA 2 have traced the evolution from a non-collimated to a collimated outflow over a period of ~20 yr. The magnetic field inferred from the H2O masers has shown an orientation rotation following the direction of the major-axis of the shell around VLA 2, whereas it is immutable around VLA 1. Aims. By monitoring the polarized emission of the 22 GHz H2O masers around both VLA 1 and VLA 2 over a period of six years, we aim to determine whether the H2O maser distributions show any variation over time and whether the magnetic field behaves accordingly. Methods. The European VLBI Network was used in full polarization and phase-reference mode in order to determine the absolute positions of the 22 GHz H2O masers with a beam size of ~1 mas and to determine the orientation and the strength of the magnetic field. We observed four epochs separated by two years from 2014 to 2020. Results. We detected polarized emission from the H2O masers around both VLA 1 and VLA 2 in all the epochs. By comparing the H2O masers detected in the four epochs, we find that the masers around VLA 1 are tracing a nondissociative shock originating from the expansion of the thermal radio jet, while the masers around VLA 2 are tracing an asymmetric expansion of the gas that is halted in the northeast where the gas likely encounters a very dense medium. We also found that the magnetic field inferred from the H2O masers in each epoch can be considered as a portion of a quasi-static magnetic field estimated in that location rather than in that time. This allowed us to study the morphology of the magnetic field around both VLA 1 and VLA 2 locally across a larger area by considering the vectors estimated in all the epochs as a whole. We find that the magnetic field in VLA 1 is located along the jet axis, bending toward the north and south at the northeasterly and southwesterly ends of the jet, respectively, reconnecting with the large-scale magnetic field. The magnetic field in VLA 2 is perpendicular to the expansion directions until it encounters the denser matter in the northeast, where the magnetic field is parallel to the expansion direction and agrees with the large-scale magnetic field. We also measured the magnetic field strength along the line of sight in three of the four epochs, with resulting values of -764mG
|
|
| 28. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Monitoring of the polarized H 2 O maser emission around the massive protostars W75N(B)-VLA 1 and W75N(B)-VLA 2
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. - 1743-9213 .- 1743-9221. ; 18, s. 177-181
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several radio sources have been detected in the high-mass star-forming region W75N(B), among them the massive young stellar objects VLA 1 and VLA 2 are of great interest. These are thought to be in different evolutionary stages. In particular, VLA 1 is at the early stage of the photoionization and it is driving a thermal radio jet, while VLA 2 is a thermal, collimated ionized wind surrounded by a dusty disk or envelope. In both sources 22 GHz H2O masers have been detected in the past. Those around VLA 1 show a persistent linear distribution along the thermal radio jet and those around VLA 2 have instead traced the evolution from a non-collimated to a collimated outflow over a period of ∼20 years. The magnetic field inferred from the H2O masers showed a rotation of its orientation according to the direction of the major-axis of the shell around VLA 2, while it is immutable around VLA 1. We further monitored the polarized emission of the 22 GHz H2O masers around both VLA 1 and VLA 2 over a period of six years with the European VLBI Network for a total of four epochs separated by two years from 2014 to 2020. We here present the results of our monitoring project by focusing on the evolution of the maser distribution and of the magnetic field around the two massive young stellar objects.
|
|
| 29. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Rapidly increasing collimation and magnetic field changes of a protostellar H2O maser outflow
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 565
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. W75N(B) is a massive star-forming region that contains three radio continuum sources (VLA 1, VLA 2, and VLA 3), which are thought to be three massive young stellar objects at three different evolutionary stages. VLA 1 is the most evolved and VLA 2 the least evolved source. The 22 GHz H2O masers associated with VLA 1 and VLA 2 have been mapped at several epochs over eight years. While the H2O masers in VLA 1 show a persistent linear distribution along a radio jet, those in VLA 2 are distributed around an expanding shell. Furthermore, H2O maser polarimetric measurements revealed magnetic fields aligned with the two structures. Aims. Using new polarimetric observations of H2O masers, we aim to confirm the elliptical expansion of the shell-like structure around VLA 2 and, at the same time, to determine if the magnetic fields around the two sources have changed. Methods. The NRAO Very Long Baseline Array was used to measure the linear polarization and the Zeeman-splitting of the 22 GHz H2O masers towards the massive star-forming region W75N(B). Results. The H2O maser distribution around VLA 1 is unchanged from that previously observed. We made an elliptical fit of the H2O masers around VLA 2. We find that the shell-like structure is still expanding along the direction parallel to the thermal radio jet of VLA 1. While the magnetic field around VLA 1 has not changed in the past similar to 7 years, the magnetic field around VLA 2 has changed its orientation according to the new direction of the major-axis of the shell-like structure and it is now aligned with the magnetic field in VLA 1.
|
|
| 30. |
- Surcis, G., et al.
(författare)
-
The magnetic field at milliarcsecond resolution around IRAS 20126+4104
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 563
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. IRAS 20126+4104 is a well studied B0.5 protostar that is surrounded by a similar to 1000 au Keplerian disk and is where a large-scale outflow originates. Both 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers and 22-GHz H2O masers have been detected toward this young stellar object. The CH3OH masers trace the Keplerian disk, while the H2O masers are associated with the surface of the conical jet. Recently, observations of dust polarized emission (350 mu m) at an angular resolution of 9 arcsec (similar to 15 000 au) have revealed an S-shaped morphology of the magnetic field around IRAS 20126+4104. Aims. The observations of polarized maser emissions at milliarcsecond resolution (similar to 20 au) can make a crucial contribution to understanding the orientation of the magnetic field close to IRAS 20126+4104. This will allow us to determine whether the magnetic field morphology changes from arcsecond resolution to milliarcsecond resolution. Methods. The European VLBI Network was used to measure the linear polarization and the Zeeman splitting of the 6.7-GHz CH3OH masers toward IRAS 20126+4104. The NRAO Very Long Baseline Array was used to measure the linear polarization and the Zeeman splitting of the 22-GHz H2O masers toward the same region. Results. We detected 26 CH3OH masers and 5 H2O masers at high angular resolution. Linear polarization emission was observed toward three CH3OH masers and toward one H2O maser. Significant Zeeman splitting was measured in one CH3OH maser (Delta V-Z = -9.2 +/- 1.4 ms(-1)). No significant (5 sigma) magnetic field strength was measured using the H2O masers. We found that in IRAS 20126+4104 the rotational energy is less than the magnetic energy.
|
|
