Bipolar Molecular Outflow Research Articles

G11.92–0.61 MM 1: A Fragmented Keplerian Disk Surrounding a Proto-O Star

Abstract We present high-resolution (∼300 au) Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of the massive young stellar object G11.92–0.61 MM 1. We resolve the immediate circumstellar environment of MM 1 in 1.3 mm continuum emission and CH3CN emission for the first time. The object divides into two main sources—MM 1a, which is the source of a bipolar molecular outflow, and MM 1b, located 0.″57 (1920 au) to the southeast. The main component of MM 1a is an elongated continuum structure, perpendicular to the bipolar outflow, with a size of 0.″141 × 0.″050 (480 × 170 au). The gas kinematics toward MM 1a probed via CH3CN trace a variety of scales. The lower energy J = 12–11 K = 3 line traces extended, rotating gas within the outflow cavity, while the v8 = 1 line shows a clearly resolved Keplerian rotation signature. Analysis of the gas kinematics and dust emission shows that the total enclosed mass in MM 1a is 40 ± 5 M ⊙ (where between 2.2 and 5.8 M ⊙ is attributed to the disk), while MM 1b is <0.6 M ⊙. The extreme mass ratio and orbital properties of MM 1a and MM 1b suggest that MM 1b is one of the first observed examples of the formation of a binary star via disk fragmentation around a massive young (proto)star.

CSO CO (2–1) and Spitzer IRAC observations of a bipolar outflow in high-mass star-forming region IRAS 22506+5944

We present Caltech Submillimeter Observatory CO (2–1) and Spitzer IRAC observations toward IRAS 22506+5944, which is a 104 L⊙ massive star-forming region. The CO (2–1) maps show an east-west bipolar molecular outflow originating from the 3 mm dust continuum peak. The Spitzer IRAC color-composite image reveals a pair of bow-shaped tips which are prominent in excess 4.5μm emission and are located at the leading fronts of the bipolar outflow, providing compelling evidence for the existence of bow-shocks as the driving agents of the molecular outflow. By comparing our CO (2–1) observations with previously published CO (1–0) data, we find that the CO (2–1)/(1–0) line ratio increases from low (∼5 kms−1) to moderate (∼8–12 kms−1) velocities, and then decreases at higher velocities. This is qualitatively consistent with the scenario that the molecular outflow is driven by multiple bow-shocks. We also revisit the position-velocity diagram of the CO (1–0) data, and find two spur structures along the outflow axis, which are further evidence for the presence of multiple jet bowshocks. Finally, power-law fittings to the mass spectrum of the outflow gives power law indexes more consistent with the jet bow-shock model than the wide-angle wind model.

The ALMA early science view of FUor/EXor objects – III. The slow and wide outflow of V883 Ori

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/ sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) observations of V883 Ori, an FU Ori object. We describe the molecular outflow and envelope of the system based on the $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO emissions, which together trace a bipolar molecular outflow. The C$^{18}$O emission traces the rotational motion of the circumstellar disk. From the $^{12}$CO blue-shifted emission, we estimate a wide opening angle of $\sim$ 150$^{^{\circ}}$ for the outflow cavities. Also, we find that the outflow is very slow (characteristic velocity of only 0.65 km~s$^{-1}$), which is unique for an FU Ori object. We calculate the kinematic properties of the outflow in the standard manner using the $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO emissions. In addition, we present a P Cygni profile observed in the high-resolution optical spectrum, evidence of a wind driven by the accretion and being the cause for the particular morphology of the outflows. We discuss the implications of our findings and the rise of these slow outflows during and/or after the formation of a rotationally supported disk.

THE MASSIVE PROTOSTELLAR CLUSTER NGC 6334I AT 220 au RESOLUTION: DISCOVERY OF FURTHER MULTIPLICITY, DIVERSITY, AND A HOT MULTI-CORE

ABSTRACT We present Very Large Array and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array imaging of the deeply embedded protostellar cluster NGC 6334I from 5 cm to 1.3 mm at angular resolutions as fine as 0.″17 (220 au). The dominant hot core MM1 is resolved into seven components at 1.3 mm, clustered within a radius of 1000 au. Four of the components have brightness temperatures >200 K, radii ∼300 au, minimum luminosities ∼104 L ⊙, and must be centrally heated. We term this new phenomenon a “hot multi-core.” Two of these objects also exhibit compact free–free emission at longer wavelengths, consistent with a hypercompact H ii region (MM1B) and a jet (MM1D). The spatial kinematics of the water maser emission centered on MM1D are consistent with it being the origin of the high-velocity bipolar molecular outflow seen in CO. The close proximity of MM1B and MM1D (440 au) suggests a proto-binary or a transient bound system. Several components of MM1 exhibit steep millimeter spectral energy distributions indicative of either unusual dust spectral properties or time variability. In addition to resolving MM1 and the other hot core (MM2) into multiple components, we detect five new millimeter and two new centimeter sources. Water masers are detected for the first time toward MM4A, confirming its membership in the protocluster. With a 1.3 mm brightness temperature of 97 K coupled with a lack of thermal molecular line emission, MM4A appears to be a highly optically thick 240 L ⊙ dust core, possibly tracing a transient stage of massive protostellar evolution. The nature of the strongest water maser source CM2 remains unclear due to its combination of non-thermal radio continuum and lack of dust emission.

Bipolar molecular outflow in IRAS 17233-3606

The high-mass star-forming region IRAS 17333-3606 has been mapped in the 13CO (J = 2–1) and C18O (J = 2–1) lines in the submillimeter wavelength range using the APEX (Chile) radio telescope. The analysis of the low-velocity part of the molecular outflow has been carried out, and the main parameters of the outflow have been determined. We have used a novel approach for calculating parameters of the low-velocity part of bipolar molecular outflows in molecular clouds. The approach excludes the influence of the surrounding cloud on the parameters of the outflow. The mass of the low-velocity part is much greater than that of the high-velocity part of the molecular outflow, while their energies are comparable. The core of the young stellar object is significantly deformed by the impact of the bipolar outflow.

CYGNUS X-3: ITS LITTLE FRIEND’S COUNTERPART, THE DISTANCE TO CYGNUS X-3, AND OUTFLOWS/JETS

Chandra observations have revealed a feature,within 16" of Cygnus X-3 which varied in phase with Cygnus X-3. This feature was shown to be a Bok globule which is along the line of sight to Cygnus X-3. We report on observations made with Submillimeter Array (SMA) to search for molecular emission from this globule, also known as Cygnus X-3's "Little Friend" (LF). We have found a counterpart in both 12CO (2-1) and 13}CO (2-1) emission. From the velocity shift of the molecular lines, we are able to find two probable distances based on the Bayesian model of Milky Way kinematics of Reid et al. 2016. For the LF velocity of -47.5 km/s, we get a distance of 6.1 +/- 0.6 kpc (62% probability) and 7.8 +/- 0.6 ~kpc (38% probability). This yields a distance to Cyg X-3 of 7.4 +/- 1.1 kpc and 10.2 +/-1.2 ~kpc, respectively. Based on the probabilities entailed, we take 7.4 +/- 1.1 kpc as the preferred distance to Cyg X-3. We also report the discovery of bipolar molecular outflow, suggesting that there is active star formation occurring within the Little Friend.

G11.92−0.61 MM1: a Keplerian disc around a massive young proto-O star

The formation process of massive stars is not well understood, and advancement in our understanding benefits from high resolution observations and modelling of the gas and dust surrounding individual high-mass (proto)stars. Here we report sub-arcsecond (<1550 au) resolution observations of the young massive star G11.92-0.61 MM1 with the SMA and VLA. Our 1.3 mm SMA observations reveal consistent velocity gradients in compact molecular line emission from species such as CH$_3$CN, CH$_3$OH, OCS, HNCO, H$_2$CO, DCN and CH$_3$CH$_2$CN, oriented perpendicular to the previously reported bipolar molecular outflow from MM1. Modelling of the compact gas kinematics suggests a structure undergoing rotation around the peak of the dust continuum emission. The rotational profile can be well fit by a model of a Keplerian disc, including infall, surrounding an enclosed mass of 30-60M$_{\odot}$, of which 2-3M$_{\odot}$ is attributed to the disc. From modelling the CH$_3$CN emission, we determine that two temperature components, of 150 K and 230 K, are required to adequately reproduce the spectra. Our 0.9 and 3.0cm VLA continuum data exhibit an excess above the level expected from dust emission; the full centimetre-submillimetre wavelength spectral energy distribution of MM1 is well reproduced by a model including dust emission, an unresolved hypercompact H{\i}{\i} region, and a compact ionised jet. In combination, our results suggest that MM1 is an example of a massive proto-O star forming via disc accretion, in a similar way to that of lower mass stars.

COEVAL INTERMEDIATE-MASS STAR FORMATION IN N4W

ABSTRACT Protostars are mostly found in star-forming regions, where the natal molecular gas still remains. At about 5 ′ west of the molecular bubble N4, N4W is identified as a star-forming clump hosting three Class II (IRS 1–3), and one Class I (IRS 4) young stellar objects (YSOs), as well as a submillimeter source SMM1. The near-IR polarization imaging data of N4W reveal two infrared reflection nebulae close to each other, which are in favor of the outflows of IRS 1 and IRS 2. The bipolar mid-IR emission centered on IRS 4 and the arc-like molecular gas shell are lying on the same axis, indicating a bipolar molecular outflow from IRS 4. There are two dust temperature distributions in N4W. The warmer one is widely distributed and has a temperature of T d ≳ 28 K , with the colder one being from the embedded compact submillimeter source SMM1. N4W’s mass is estimated to be ∼ 2.5 × 10 3 M ⊙ , and the mass of SMM1 is ∼ 5.5 × 10 2 M ⊙ at T d = 15 K , calculated from the CO 1 − 0 emission and 870 μm dust continuum emission, respectively. Based on the estimates of the bolometric luminosity of IRS 1–4, these four sources are intermediate-mass YSOs at least. SMM1 is gravitationally bound, and is capable of forming intermediate-mass stars or even possibly massive stars. The co-existence of the IR bright YSOs and the submillimeter source represents potential sequential star formation processes separated by ∼0.5 Myr in N4W. This small age spread implies that the intermediate-mass star formation processes happening in N4W are almost coeval.

Sgr B2(N): A BIPOLAR OUTFLOW AND ROTATING HOT CORE REVEALED BY ALMA

We present the results of SiO (2-1) and SO2 (12-13) line observations of Sgr B2(N) made with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at an angular resolution of ~2arcsec. Our analysis of the SiO and SO2 line emission reveals a bipolar molecular outflow in an east-west direction whose driving source is located at K2. In addition, SO2 line core shows a north-south velocity gradient most probably indicating a hot core of molecular gas rotating around K2. Fractional abundances of SO2 and SiO (X(SO2) and X(SiO), respectively) in the outflowing molecular gas are derived from comparisons with the C18O emission. Assuming an excitation temperature of 100+-50 K, we calculate X(SO2) = 2.3X10^-8 and X(SiO) = 1.2X10^-9. The outflow from SgrB2(N) K2 is characterized as a young (5X10^3yr) and massive (~2000Msun), but moderately collimated (~60deg) outflow. We also report a possible detection of the SiO (v=2, J=2-1) maser emission from the position of K2. If confirmed, it would make Sgr B2(N) the 4th star forming region associated with SiO masers.

A distance-limited sample of massive molecular outflows

We have observed 99 mid-infrared-bright, massive young stellar objects and compact HII regions drawn from the Red MSX source (RMS) survey in the J=3$-$2 transition of $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO, using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. 89 targets are within 6 kpc of the Sun, covering a representative range of luminosities and core masses. These constitute a relatively unbiased sample of bipolar molecular outflows associated with massive star formation. Of these, 59, 17 and 13 sources (66, 19 and 15 percent) are found to have outflows, show some evidence of outflow, and have no evidence of outflow, respectively. The time-dependent parameters of the high-velocity molecular flows are calculated using a spatially variable dynamic timescale. The canonical correlations between the outflow parameters and source luminosity are recovered and shown to scale with those of low-mass sources. For coeval star formation we find the scaling is consistent with all the protostars in an embedded cluster providing the outflow force, with massive stars up to $\sim$30 M$_{\odot}$ generating outflows. Taken at face value, the results support the model of a scaled-up version of the accretion-related outflow-generation mechanism associated with discs and jets in low-mass objects with time-averaged accretion rates of $\sim$10$^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ onto the cores. However, we also suggest an alternative model, in which the molecular outflow dynamics are dominated by the entrained mass and are unrelated to the details of the acceleration mechanism. We find no evidence that outflows contribute significantly to the turbulent kinetic energy of the surrounding dense cores.

Nature of highly extended CS(J=7-6) emission around low-mass protostar L483

AbstractSingle-dish observations in CS(J=7-6) using the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) reveal emission extending out to thousands of AU from low-mass protostars, much larger than is expected based on simple models for their envelopes. Hypotheses for this emission invoke gas dispersed from the envelope surfaces facing the bipolar outflow cavities. Here, we combine interferometric data from the Submillimeter Array (SMA) with the previous single-dish data from ASTE for the low-mass protostar L483 to study the spatial-kinematic structure of its CS(J=7-6) emission on projected scales ≳600 AU. In addition to providing more detailed information for the extended component, our combined maps reveal a compact central component in CS(J=7-6) having a steeper velocity gradient. Both the compact and extended components exhibit a velocity gradient in the opposite sense to that of a bipolar molecular outflow traced in CO(J=2-1). Finding that previous models make a number of wrong predictions for the observed features, we propose that both CS(J=7-6) components are produced by rotating and infalling gas along the envelope surfaces exposed by the bipolar outflow and therefore subjected to stellar irradiation and outflow compression.

APEX-CHAMP+high-JCO observations of low-mass young stellar objects

During the embedded stage of star formation, bipolar molecular outflows and UV radiation from the protostar are important feedback processes. Our aim is to quantify the feedback, mechanical and radiative, for a large sample of low-mass sources. The outflow activity is compared to radiative feedback in the form of UV heating by the accreting protostar to search for correlations and evolutionary trends. Large-scale maps of 26 young stellar objects, which are part of the Herschel WISH key program are obtained using the CHAMP+ instrument on the APEX (12CO and 13CO 6-5), and the HARP-B instrument on the JCMT (12CO and 13CO 3-2). Maps are used to determine outflow parameters and envelope models are used to quantify the amount of UV-heated gas and its temperature from 13CO 6-5 observations. All sources in our sample show outflow activity and the outflow force, F_CO, is larger for Class 0 sources than for Class I sources, even if their luminosities are comparable. The outflowing gas typically extends to much greater distances than the power-law envelope and therefore influences the surrounding cloud material directly. Comparison of the CO 6-5 results with Herschel-HIFI H2O and PACS high-J CO lines, both tracing currently shocked gas, shows that the two components are linked, even though the transitions do not probe the same gas. The link does not extend down to CO 3-2. The conclusion is that CO 6-5 depends on the shock characteristics (density and velocity), whereas CO 3-2 is more sensitive to conditions in the surrounding environment (density). The radiative feedback is responsible for increasing the gas temperature by a factor of two, up to 30-50 K, on scales of a few thousand AU, particularly along the direction of the outflow. The mass of the UV heated gas exceeds the mass contained in the entrained outflow in the inner ~3000 AU and is therefore at least as important on small scales.

New N-bearing species towards OH 231.8+4.2

OH231.8+4.2 is a well studied O-rich CSE around an intermediate-mass evolved star that displays bipolar molecular outflows accelerated up to 400 km/s. OH231 also presents an exceptional molecular richness probably due to shock-induced chemical processes. We report the first detection in this source of HNCO, HNCS, HC3N and NO, with the IRAM-30m telescope in a sensitive mm-wavelength survey towards this target. HNCO and HNCS are also first detections in CSEs. The observed line profiles show that the emission arises in the massive central component of the envelope and at the base of the fast lobes. The NO profiles are broader than those of HNCO, HNCS, and HC3N, and most importantly, broader than the line profiles of 13CO. This indicates that the NO abundance is enhanced in the fast lobes relative to the slow, central parts. From LTE and non-LTE excitation analysis, we estimate beam-average rotational temperatures of 15-30 K (and, maybe, up to 55 K for HC3N) and fractional abundances of X(HNCO)=[0.8-1]E-7, X(HNCS)=[0.9-1]E-8, X(HC3N)=[5-7]E-9 and X(NO)=[1-2]E-6. NO is, therefore, amongst the most abundant N-bearing species in OH231. We have performed thermodynamical chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics models to investigate the formation of these N-bearing species in OH231. The model underestimates the observed abundances for HNCO, HNCS, and HC3N by several orders of magnitude, which indicates that these molecules can hardly be products of standard UV-photon and/or cosmic-ray induced chemistry in OH231, and that other processes (e.g. shocks) play a major role in their formation. For NO, the model abundance is compatible with the observed average value. The new detections presented in this work corroborate the particularly rich chemistry of OH231, which is likely profoundly influenced by shock-induced processes, as proposed in earlier works.

Results of a long-term monitoring of the 1.35-cm water-vapor maser source ON 1 (1981–2013)

We present the results of our long-term monitoring of the 1.35-cm water-vapor maser source ON 1 performed at the 22-m radio telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory from 1981 to 2013. Maser emissionwas observed in a wide range of radial velocities, from −60 to +60 km s−1. Variability of the integrated flux with a period of ∼9 years was detected. We show that the stable emission at radial velocities of 10.3, 14.7, and 16.5 km s−1 belongs to compact structures that are composed of maser spots with close radial velocities and that are members of two water-maser clusters, WMC 1 and WMC 2. The detected short-lived emission features in the velocity ranges from −30 to 0 and from 35 to 40 km s−1 as well as the high-velocity ones are most likely associated with a bipolar molecular outflow observed in the CO line.

An Infrared Luminous Merger with Two Bipolar Molecular Outflows : ALMA View of NGC 3256

AbstractWe found with ALMA 3D spectroscopy two bipolar molecular outflows in the luminous infrared galaxy NGC 3256. Each of the two merger nuclei has its own bipolar outflow.

The Star-Formation Region SNO 87

The star-formation region SNO 87 is associated with the dark cloud LDN 212. 12CO(1-0) observations of a part of the molecular cloud associated with SNO 87 show that it lies somewhat to the north of the densest part of the molecular cloud. There is a bipolar molecular outflow from SNO 87, both branches of which are blue, i.e., the velocity is directed toward us with a velocity of ~3.5 km/s relative to the cloud. 12CO(1-0) observations of a part of the cloud lying to the E of SNO 87 show that this part of the cloud rotates with an angular velocity Ω = 2.44·10−14 s-1. SNO 87 contains several stars that are coupled with nebular filaments, bursts, and Herbig-Haro objects. It is also associated with the point source IRAS 18064-2413.

Unstable Objects in Molecular Cloud LDN133

The results of investigation of molecular cloud LDN133 and the unstable objects HHL59, HHL59A, HHL59B and HHL59C connected with it are given. The IR nebula and IR star cluster are also connected with LDN133. It is shown that two different molecular outflows are present: (1) red-shifted molecular outflow from the IR nebula, connected with HHL59, and (2) bipolar molecular outflow from the object HHL59A. An IRAS point source IRAS 17554-2606 is connected with the IR nebula. Observations with narrow band filters revealed the existence of HH objects and jets from several unstable stars of this region. There are three filaments; ejected from the IR nebula with condensation at their ends. Two 8-type cometary nebulae connected with unstable stars were also discovered.

Molecular outflows and gas rotation associated with G20.08–0.14N

We present the results of a high-resolution study with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) toward the massive star-forming complex G20.08–0.14N. With the SMA data, we have detected and analyzed the transitions in the 12CO (3–2) and 12CO (2–1) molecular lines as well as CH3CN. The millimeter observations reveal highly collimated bipolar molecular outflows, traced by high-velocity 12CO (2–1) and 12CO (3–2) emissions. Using a rotation temperature diagram, we derive that the rotational temperature and the column density of CH3CN are 244 K and 1.2 × 1015 cm−2, respectively. We also suggest that the minor outflow is probably driven by the hypercompact (HC) HII region A that is inside. We find the molecular gas (traced by C17O, SO, CH3OH and SO2) surrounding G20.08–0.14N appears to be undergoing bulk rotation. The HCHII region A that is inside is most probably the main source of accretion and heating for G20.08–0.14N.

Outflow forces of low-mass embedded objects in Ophiuchus: a quantitative comparison of analysis methods

Context. The outflow force of molecular bipolar outflows is a key parameter in theories of young stellar feedback on their surroundings. The focus of many outflow studies is the correlation between the outflow force, bolometric luminosity, and envelope mass. However, it is difficult to combine the results of different studies in large evolutionary plots over many orders of magnitude due to the range of data quality, analysis methods, and corrections for observational effects, such as opacity and inclination.

Do protostellar fountains shape the regional core mass function?

The emerging massive binary system associated with AFGL 961 signifies the latest generation of massive star and cluster formation in the Rosette Molecular Complex. We present the detection of a compact cluster of dusty cores toward the AFGL 961 region based on continuum imaging at 1.3 mm by the Submillimeter Array. The binary components of AFGL 961 are associated with the most intensive millimeter emission cores or envelopes, confirming that they are indeed in an early stage of evolution. The other massive cores, however, are found to congregate in the close vicinity of the central high-mass protostellar binary. They have no apparent infrared counterparts and are, in particular, well aligned transverse to the bipolar molecular outflows originating from AFGL 961. This provides evidence for a likely triggered origin of the massive cores. All 40 individual cores with masses ranging between 0.6 and 15 M⊙ were detected above a 3 σ level of 3.6 mJy beam−1 (or 0.4 M⊙), based on which we derive a total core mass of 107 M⊙ in the AFGL 961 region. As compared to the stellar initial mass function, a shallow slope of 1.8 is, however, derived from the best fit to the mass spectrum of the millimeter cores with a prestellar and/or protostellar origin. The flatter core mass distribution in the AFGL 961 region is attributed here to dynamic perturbations from the massive molecular outflows that originated from the massive protostellar binary, which may have altered the otherwise more quiescent conditions of core or star formation, enhanced the formation of more massive cores and, as a result, influenced the core mass distribution in its close vicinity.