Bok Globules Research Articles

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.

DISCOVERY OF A HOT CORINO IN THE BOK GLOBULE B335

ABSTRACT We report the first evidence of a hot corino in a Bok globule. This is based on ALMA observations in the 1.2 mm band toward the low-mass Class 0 protostar IRAS 19347+0727 in B335. Saturated complex organic molecules (COMs), CH3CHO, HCOOCH3, and NH2CHO, are detected in a compact region within a few 10 au around the protostar. Additionally, CH3OCH3, C2H5OH, C2H5CN, and CH3COCH3 are tentatively detected. Carbon-chain related molecules, CCH and c-C3H2, are also found in this source, whose distributions are extended over a scale of a few 100 au. On the other hand, sulfur-bearing molecules CS, SO, and SO2 have both compact and extended components. Fractional abundances of the COMs relative to H2 are found to be comparable to those in known hot corino sources. Though the COMs lines are as broad as 5–8 km s−1, they do not show obvious rotation motion in the present observation. Thus, the COMs mainly exist in a structure whose distribution is much smaller than the synthesized beam (0.″58 × 0.″52).

Jeans analysis of Bok globules in $${\varvec{f(R)}}$$ f ( R ) gravity

We examine the effects of $f(R)$ gravity on Jeans analysis of collapsing dust clouds. We provide a method for testing modified gravity models by their effects on star formation as the presence of $f(R)$ gravity is found to modify the limit for collapse. In this analysis we add perturbations to a de Sitter background. Depending on the characteristics of a chosen $f(R)$ model, the appearance of new limits is possible. The physicality of these limits is further examined. We find the asymptotic Jeans masses for $f(R)$ theories compared to standard Jeans mass. Through this ratio, the effects of the $f(R)$ modified Jeans mass for viable theories are examined in molecular clouds. Bok globules have a mass range comparable to Jeans masses in question and are therefore used for comparing different $f(R)$ models. Viable theories are found to assist in star formation.

Study of magnetic field geometry and extinction in Bok globule CB130

We trace the peripheral magnetic field structure of Bok globule CB130, by estimating the linear polarization of its field stars in the R band. The magnetic field orientation sampled by these stars, aligned on average among themselves and the polarization produced within the cloud has a different direction from that of Galactic plane with an offset of 53$^\circ$. The offset between minor axis and the mean magnetic field of CB130 is found to be 80$^\circ$. The estimated strength of the magnetic field in the plane-of-the-sky is $\sim$ 116$\pm$19 $\mu$G. We constructed the visual extinction map using Near Infrared Color Excess (NICE) method to see the dust distribution around CB130. Contours of Herschel {Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA} SPIRE 500$\mu$m dust continuum emission maps of this cloud is over-plotted on the visual extinction map which shows the regions having higher optical extinction corresponds to higher densities of dust. Three distinct high dust density cores (named as C1, C2, and C3) are identified in the extinction map. It is observed that the cores C1 and C3 located close to two previously known cores CB130-1 and CB130-2 respectively. Estimate of visual extinction of some moderately obscured stars of CB130 are made utilizing near-infra red photometry. Its observed that there is a feeble dependence of polarization on extinction; and polarization efficiency (defined as $ \textit{p}$/A$ {V}$) of the dust grains decreases with the increase in extinction.

On the origins of polarization holes in Bok globules

Context. Polarimetric observations of Bok globules frequently show a decrease in the degree of polarization towards their central dense regions (polarization holes). This behaviour is usually explained with increased disalignment owing to high density and temperature, or insufficient angular resolution of a possibly complex magnetic field structure. Aims. We investigate whether a significant decrease in polarized emission of dense regions in Bok globules is possible under certain physical conditions. For instance, we evaluate the impact of optical depth effects and various properties of the dust phase. Methods. We use radiative transfer modelling to calculate the temperature structure of an analytical Bok globule model and simulate the polarized thermal emission of elongated dust grains. For the alignment of the dust grains, we consider a magnetic field and include radiative torque and internal alignment. Results. Besides the usual explanations, selected conditions of the temperature and density distribution, the dust phase and the magnetic field are also able to significantly decrease the polarized emission of dense regions in Bok globules. Taking submm/mm grains and typical column densities of existing Bok globules into consideration, the optical depth is high enough to decrease the degree of polarization by up to {\Delta}P~10%. If limited to the densest regions, dust grain growth to submm/mm size and accumulated graphite grains decrease the degree of polarization by up to {\Delta}P~10% and {\Delta}P~5%, respectively. However, the effect of the graphite grains occurs only if they do not align with the magnetic field.

The pre-main-sequence star V1184 Tauri (CB 34V) at the end of prolonged eclipse

V1184 Tau (CB 34V) lies in the field of the Bok globule CB 34 and was discovered as a large amplitude variable in 1993. According to the first hypothesis of the variability of the star, it is a FU Orionis candidate erupted between 1951 and 1993. During subsequent observations, the star manifests large amplitude variability interpreted as obscuration from circumstellar clouds of dust. We included V1184 Tau (CB 34V) in our target list of highly variable pre-main-sequence stars to determine the reasons for the variations in the brightness of this object. Data from BVRI photometric observations of the young stellar object V1184 Tau, obtained in the period 2008-2015, are presented in the paper. These data are a continuation of our optical photometric monitoring of the star began in 2000 and continuing to date. The photometric observations of V1184 Tau were performed in two observatories with two medium-sized and two small telescopes. Our results indicate that during periods of maximum light the star shows characteristics typical of T Tauri stars. During the observed deep minimum in brightness, however, V1184 Tau is rather similar to UX Orionis objects. The deep drop in brightness began in 2003 ended in 2015 as the star has returned to maximum light. The light curve during the drop is obviously asymmetric as the decrease in brightness lasts two times longer than the rise. The observed colour reverse on the colour-magnitude diagrams is also confirmation of obscuration from circumstellar clouds of dust as a reason for the large amplitude variability in the brightness.

Distance estimation of some selected small Bok globules

The distance determination of small Bok globules is often difficult because of its small size and opaqueness. In this work, we determine the distances to six small Bok globules CB 17, CB 24, CB 188, CB 224, CB 230 and CB 240 using near infra red photometry (2MASS $JHK_S$ colors). The distances to these clouds are estimated to be $478 \pm 88$, $293 \pm 54$, $262 \pm 49$, $378 \pm 70$, $293 \pm 54$ and $429 \pm 79$ parsec respectively.

Study of grain alignment efficiency and a distance estimate for small globule CB4

We study the polarization efficiency (defined as the ratio of polarization to extinction) of stars in the background of the small, nearly spherical and isolated Bok globule CB4 to understand the grain alignment process. A decrease in polarization efficiency with an increase in visual extinction is noticed. This suggests that the observed polarization in lines of sight which intercept a Bok globule tends to show dominance of dust grains in the outer layers of the globule. This finding is consistent with the results obtained for other clouds in the past. We determined the distance to the cloud CB4 using near-infrared photometry (2MASS JHKS colors) of moderately obscured stars located at the periphery of the cloud. From the extinction-distance plot, the distance to this cloud is estimated to be (459 ± 85) pc.

H ii REGION G46.5-0.2: THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN IONIZING RADIATION, MOLECULAR GAS, AND STAR FORMATION

HII regions are particularly interesting because they can generate dense layers of gas and dust, elongated columns or pillars of gas pointing towards the ionizing sources, and cometary globules of dense gas, where triggered star formation can occur. Understanding the interplay between the ionizing radiation and the dense surrounding gas is very important to explain the origin of these peculiar structures, and hence to characterize triggered star formation. G46.5-0.2 (G46), a poorly studied galactic HII region located at about 4 kpc, is an excellent target to perform this kind of studies. Using public molecular data extracted from the Galactic Ring Survey (13CO J=1-0) and from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope data archive (12CO, 13CO, C18O J=3-2, HCO+ and HCN J=4-3), and infrared data from the GLIMPSE and MIPSGAL surveys, we perform a complete study of G46, its molecular environment and the young stellar objects placed around it. We found that G46, probably excited by an O7V star, is located close to the edge of the GRSMC G046.34-00.21 molecular cloud. It presents a horse-shoe morphology opening in direction of the cloud. We observed a filamentary structure in the molecular gas likely related to G46 and not considerable molecular emission towards its open border. We found that about 10' towards the southwest of G46 there are some pillar-like features, shining at 8 um and pointing towards the HII region open border. We propose that the pillar-like features were carved and sculpted by the ionizing flux from G46. We found several young stellar objects likely embedded in the molecular cloud grouped in two main concentrations: one, closer to the G46 open border consisting of Class II type sources, and other one mostly composed by Class I type YSOs located just ahead the pillars-like features, strongly suggesting an age gradient in the YSOs distribution.

Sound-triggered collapse of stably oscillating low-mass cores in a two-phase interstellar medium

Inspired by Barnard 68, a Bok globule, that undergoes stable oscillations, we perform multi-phase hydrodynamic simulations to analyze the stability of Bok globules. We show that a high-density soft molecular core, with an adiabatic index $\gamma$ = 0.7 embedded in a warm isothermal diffuse gas, must have a small density gradient to retain the stability. Despite being stable, the molecular core can still collapse spontaneously as it will relax to develop a sufficiently large density gradient after tens of oscillations, or a few $10^7$ years. However, during its relaxation, the core may abruptly collapse triggered by the impingement of small-amplitude, long-wavelength ($\sim$ 6 $-$ 36 pc) sound waves in the warm gas. This triggered collapse mechanism is similar to a sonoluminescence phenomenon, where underwater ultrasounds can drive air bubble coalescence. The collapse configuration is found to be different from both inside-out and outside-in models of low-mass star formation; nonetheless the mass flux is close to the prediction of the inside-out model. The condition and the efficiency for this core collapse mechanism are identified. Generally speaking, a broad-band resonance condition must be met, where the core oscillation frequency and the wave frequency should match each other within a factor of several. A consequence of our findings predicts the possibility of propagating low-mass star formation, for which collapse of cores, within a mass range short of one order of magnitude, takes place sequentially tracing the wave front across a region of few tens of pc over $10^7$ years.

Study of background star polarization and polarization efficiency of three selected Bok globules: CB56, CB60 and CB69

We present the polarization maps of three selected Bok globules CB56, CB60 and CB69 constructed using a V-band data from a CCD imaging polarimeter. The aim of this work is to measure the optical polarization ($p_v$) of background field stars in order to determine the polarization efficiency, $p_v/A_v$. We find that the local magnetic field of the cloud CB56 is almost aligned with the galactic field, but not in CB60 and CB69. A trend of decreasing polarization efficiency with increasing extinction ($A_v$) is observed: it can be well represented by a power law, $p_v/A_v \propto A_v^{-\alpha}$, where $\alpha = -0.56 \pm 0.36$, $-0.59 \pm 0.51$ and $-0.52 \pm 0.49$ for CB56, CB60 and CB69 respectively. This indicates that the linear polarization of the starlight due to aligned dust grains in these clouds is produced more efficiently in low extinction regions, compared with high obscured lines of sight.

Large-scale magnetic fields in Bok globules

Context: The role of magnetic fields in the star formation process is a contentious matter of debate. In particular, no clear observational proof exists of a general influence by magnetic fields during the initial collapse of molecular clouds. Aims: Our aim is to examine magnetic fields and their influence on a wide range of spatial scales in low-mass star-forming regions. Method: We trace the large-scale magnetic field structure on scales of 10^3-10^5 AU in the local environment of Bok globules through optical and near-infrared polarimetry and combine these measurements with existing submillimeter measurements, thereby characterizing the small-scale magnetic field structure on scales of 10^2-10^3 AU. Results: For the first time, we present polarimetric observations in the optical and near-infrared of the three Bok globules B335, CB68, and CB54, combined with archival observations in the submillimeter and the optical. We find a significant polarization signal (P>=2%, P/sigma(P)>3) in the optical and near-infrared for all three globules. Additionally, we detect a connection between the structure on scales of 10^2-10^3 AU to 10^3-10^4 AU for both B335 and CB68. Furthermore, for CB54, we trace ordered polarization vectors on scales of ~10^5 AU. We determine a magnetic field orientation that is aligned with the CO outflow in the case of CB54, but nearly perpendicular to the CO outflow for CB68. For B335 we find a change in the magnetic field oriented toward the outflow direction, from the inner core to the outer regions. Conclusion: We find strongly aligned polarization vectors that indicate dominant magnetic fields on a wide range of spatial scales.

Imaging polarimetry of the rotating Bok globule CB67

Polarimetric observations of about 50 stars located in a close vicinity of the Bok globule CB67 having significantly nonspherical shape and rapid rotation are performed. The data obtained are compared with the available observations of this globule at radio and submillimeter wavelengths as well as some theoretical calculations. It is found that the elongation and the rotation moment of CB67 are oriented rather perpendicular to the magnetic fields, which is unusual for Bok globules and is difficult to be explained from the theoretical point of view.

Multi-wavelength study of triggered star formation around 25 H II regions

We investigate 25 H II regions that show bubble morphology in 13CO(1–0) and infrared data, to search for quantitative evidence of triggered star formation by processes described by the collect and collapse (CC) and radiatively driven implosion (RDI) models. These H II regions display the morphology of a complete or partial bubble at 8 μm, and are all associated with the molecular clouds that surround them. We found that the electron temperature ranges from 5627 K to 6839 K in these H II regions, and the average electron temperature is 6083 K. The age of these H II regions is from 3.0 × 105 yr to 1.7 × 106 yr, and the mean age is 7.7 × 105 yr. Based on the morphology of the associated molecular clouds, we divide these H II regions into three groups, which may support CC and RDI models. We select 23 young IRAS sources which have an infrared luminosity of > 103L⊙ in 19 H II regions. In addition, we identify some young stellar objects (including Class I sources), which are only concentrated in H II regions G29.007+0.076, G44.339–0.827 and G47.028+0.232. The poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions of the three H II regions all show a cometary globule. Comparing the age of each H II region with the characteristic timescales for star formation, we suggest that the three H II regions can trigger clustered star formation by an RDI process. In addition, we detect seven molecular outflows in the five H II regions for the first time. These outflow sources may be triggered by the corresponding H II regions.

The prolate Bok globules evidence for the existence of dark matter sub-halo

Although the existence of dark matter is generally accepted by the mainstream scientific community, there is no generally agreed direct detection of it. Also, observations show that some Bok globules are prolate in some regions without suitable explanation for its cause. In this paper, we investigate the effect of dark matter sub-halo in transformation of the Bok globules from spherical to the prolate shape. We limit the investigation to a particular case that the magnetic field and turbulent effects are negligible through the Bok globule. We consider the gravitational effect of dark matter sub-halo on the isothermal Bok globule that is exposed to suitable distance of it. The results show that the dark matter sub-halo can justify the transformation of Bok globules in some regions. In this paper, we introduce a new method for proving the existence of dark matter sub halo.

Clumps and triggered star formation in ionized molecular clouds

Infrared shells and bubbles are ubiquitous in the Galaxy and can generally be associated with HII regions formed around young, massive stars. In this paper, we use high-resolution 3D SPH simulations to explore the effect of a single O7 star emitting photons at 10^49 1/s and located at the centre of a molecular cloud with mass 10^4 M_sun and radius 6.4 pc; the internal structure of the cloud is characterised by its fractal dimension, D (with 2.0 <= D <= 2.8), and the variance of its (log-normal) density distribution, sigma_0^2 (with 0.36 <= sigma_0^2 <= 1.42). Our study focuses on the morphology of the swept-up cold gas and the distribution and statistics of the resulting star formation. If the fractal dimension is low, the border of the HII region is dominated by extended shell-like structures, and these break up into a small number of massive high-density clumps which then spawn star clusters; star formation occurs relatively quickly, and delivers somewhat higher stellar masses. Conversely, if the fractal dimension is high, the border of the HII region is dominated by a large number of pillars and cometary globules, which contain compact dense clumps and tend to spawn single stars or individual multiple systems; star formation occurs later, the stellar masses are somewhat lower, and the stars are more widely distributed.

Magnetic field dispersion in the neighbourhood of Bok Globules

AbstractWe performed an observational study of the relation between the interstellar magnetic field alignment and star formation in twenty (20) sky regions containing Bok Globules. The presence of young stellar objects in the globules is verified by a search of infrared sources with spectral energy distribution compatible with a pre main-sequence star. The interstellar magnetic field direction is mapped using optical polarimetry. These maps are used to estimate the dispersion of the interstellar magnetic field direction in each region from a Gaussian fit, σB. In addition to the Gaussian dispersion, we propose a new parameter, η, to measure the magnetic field alignment that does not rely on any function fitting. Statistical tests show that the dispersion of the magnetic field direction is different in star forming globules relative to quiescent globules. Specifically, the less organised magnetic fields occur in regions having young stellar objects.

A family of cometary globules at the periphery of Cyg OB1: the star HBHA 3703–01 and the reflection nebula GM 2–39

The interstellar medium in the region of a family of cometary globules including the reflection nebula GM 2-39 has been analyzed basing on our observations with the slit spectrograph, the results of our previous observations with a Fabry-Perot interferometer in the H-alpha line, Spitzer archival data together with CO microwave data. The structure of globules' IR emission, velocity field of ionized gas in the H-alpha line and of molecular gas in the CO line have been considered. We have detected a CO cavern around the eastern globules and faint high-velocity H-alpha features of surrounding gas. The most probable sources of ionizing radiation and wind of the Cyg OB1 association responsible for the globules' formation are proposed. Based on our multicolour photometry, it has been found that the brightest compact source in the southern 'head' of the cometary globule - the star HBHA 3703-01 (IRAS 20153+3850) - is a B(5-6)V star with E(B-V)=1.18 mag. The strong and broad H-alpha emission line was revealed in its spectrum. The spectral energy distribution of HBHA 3703-01 in the 0.44-24 micron range has been modeled. It is shown that the star has a hot dust envelope with T(dust)=1400 K and tau(V)=1.1. Besides, the star HBHA 3703-01 illuminates the encompassing diffuse nebula GM 2-39 with a diameter of about 30 arcsec. With regard to all obtained observational data for HBHA 3703-01, this object may be classified as the Herbig Ae/Be star.

Magnetic fields in cometary globules – IV. LBN 437

We present results of our $R-$band polarimetry of a cometary globule, LBN 437 (Gal96-15, $\ell$ $=$ 96$\degree$, \textit{b} $=-15\degree$), to study magnetic field geometry of the cloud. We estimated a distance of $360\pm65$ pc to LBN 437 (also one additional cloud, CB 238) using near-IR photometric method. Foreground contribution to the observed polarisation values was subtracted by making polarimetric observations of stars that are located in the direction of the cloud and with known distances from the Hipparcos parallax measurements. The magnetic field geometry of LBN 437 is found to follow the curved shape of the globule head. This could be due to the drag that the magnetic field lines could have experienced because of the ionisation radiation from the same exciting source that caused the cometary shape of the cloud. The orientation of the outflow from the Herbig A4e star, LkH$\alpha$ 233 (or V375 Lac), located at the head of LBN 437, is found to be parallel to both the initial (prior to the ionising source was turned on) ambient magnetic field (inferred from a star HD 214243 located just in front of the cloud) and the Galactic plane.

Star formation, structure, and formation mechanism of cometary globules: near-infrared observations of CG 1 and CG 2

Cometary globule (CG) 1 and CG 2 are "classic" CGs in the Gum Nebula. They have compact heads and long dusty tails that point away from the centre of the Gum Nebula. We study the structure of CG 1 and CG 2 and the star formation in them to find clues to the CG formation mechanism. The two possible mechanisms, radiation-driven implosion (RDI) and a supernova (SN) blast wave, produce a characteristic mass distribution where the major part of the mass is situated in either the head (RDI) or the tail (SN). CG 1 and CG 2 were imaged in the near infrared (NIR) JsHKs bands. NIR photometry was used to locate NIR excess objects and to create extinction maps of the CGs. The A_V maps allow us to analyse the large-scale structure of CG 1 and CG 2. Archival images from the WISE and Spitzer satellites and HIRES-processed IRAS images were used to study the small-scale structure. In addition to the previously known CG 1 IRS 1 we discovered three new NIR-excess objects, two in CG 1 and one in CG 2. CG 2 IRS 1 is the first detection of star formation in CG 2. Spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting suggests the NIR-excess objects are young low-mass stars. CG 1 IRS 1 is probably a class I protostar in the head of CG 1. CG 1 IRS 1 drives a bipolar outflow, which is very weak in CO, but the cavity walls are seen in reflected light in our NIR and in the Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5 mum images. Strong emission from excited polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon particles and very small grains were detected in the CG 1 tail. The total mass of CG 1 in the observed area is 41.9 Msun of which 16.8 Msun lies in the head. For CG 2 these values are 31.0 Msun total and 19.1 Msun in the head. The observed mass distribution does not offer a firm conclusion for the formation mechanism of these CGs: CG 1 is in too evolved a state, and in CG 2 part of the globule tail was outside the observed area. (abridged)