Hot Core Research Articles

High-mass star formation across the Large Magellanic Cloud. I. Chemical properties and hot molecular cores observed with ALMA at 1.2 mm

High-mass star formation across the Large Magellanic Cloud. I. Chemical properties and hot molecular cores observed with ALMA at 1.2 mm

ALMA-IMF XI. The sample of hot core candidates: A rich population of young high-mass protostars unveiled by the emission of methyl formate

The star formation process leads to an increased chemical complexity in the interstellar medium. Sites associated with high-mass star and cluster formation exhibit a so-called hot core phase, characterized by high temperatures and column densities of complex organic molecules. We aim to systematically search for and identify a sample of hot cores toward the 15 Galactic protoclusters of the ALMA-IMF Large Program and investigate their statistical properties. We built a comprehensive census of hot core candidates toward the ALMA-IMF protoclusters based on the detection of two mf emission lines at 216.1\,GHz. We used the source extraction algorithm GExt2D to identify peaks of methyl formate ( emission, a complex species commonly observed toward sites of star formation. We performed a cross-matching with the catalog of thermal dust continuum sources from the ALMA-IMF 1.3\,mm continuum data to infer their physical properties. We built a catalog of 76 hot core candidates with masses ranging from sim 0.2\,Msun to sim 80\,Msun , of which 56 are new detections. A large majority of these objects, identified from methyl formate emission, are compact and rather circular, with deconvolved full width at half maximum (FWHM) sizes of sim \,2300\,au on average. The central sources of two target fields show more extended, but still rather circular, methyl formate emission with deconvolved FWHM sizes of sim 6700\,au and 13400\,au. About 30<!PCT!> of our sample of methyl formate sources have core masses above 8\,Msun and range in size from sim \,1000\,au to 13400\,au, which is in line with measurements of archetypical hot cores. The origin of the emission toward the lower-mass cores may be explained as a mixture of contributions from shocks or may correspond to objects in a more evolved state (i.e., beyond the hot core stage). We find that the fraction of hot core candidates increases with the core mass, suggesting that the brightest dust cores are all in the hot core phase. Our results suggest that most of these compact methyl formate sources are readily explained by simple symmetric models, while collective effects from radiative heating and shocks from compact protoclusters are needed to explain the observed extended mf emission. The large fraction of hot core candidates toward the most massive cores suggests that they rapidly enter the hot core phase and that feedback effects from the forming protostar(s) impact their environment on short timescales.

Core to ultracompact Hii region evolution in the W49A massive protocluster

We aim to identify and characterize cores in the high-mass protocluster W49A, determine their evolutionary stages, and measure the associated lifetimes. We built a catalog of 129 cores extracted from an ALMA 1.3 mm continuum image at 0.26arcsec (2900 au) angular resolution. The association between cores and hypercompact or ultracompact Hii (H/UC\ Hii ) regions was established from the analysis of VLA 3.3 cm continuum and H30alpha line observations. We also looked for emission of hot molecular cores (HMCs) using the methyl formate doublet at 218.29 GHz. We identified 40 cores associated with an H/UC\ Hii region and 19 HMCs over the ALMA mosaic. The 52 cores with an H/UC\ Hii region and/or an HMC are assumed to be high-mass protostellar cores, while the rest of the core population likely consists of prestellar cores and low-mass protostellar cores. We found a good agreement between the two tracers of ionized gas, with 23 common detections and only four cores detected at 3.3 cm and not in H30alpha . The spectral indexes from 3.3 cm to 1.3 mm range from 1, for the youngest cores with partially optically thick free-free emission, to about -0.1, which is for the optically thin free-free emission obtained for cores that are likely more evolved. Using the H/UC\ Hii regions as a reference, we found the statistical lifetimes of the HMC and massive protostellar phases in W49N to be about $6 and $1.4 respectively. We also showed that HMCs can coexist with H/UC\ Hii regions during a short fraction of the core lifetime, about $2 yr. This indicates a rapid dispersal of the inner molecule envelope once the HC\ Hii is formed.

Self-similarity of the magnetic field at different scales: the case of G31.41+0.31

Dust polarization observations of the massive protocluster G31.41+0.31 carried out at sim 1$''$ ($ resolution with the SMA at 870\,mu m have revealed one of the clearest examples to date of an hourglass-shaped magnetic field morphology in the high-mass regime. Additionally, $ resolution observations with ALMA at 1.3\,mm have confirmed these results. The next step is to investigate whether the magnetic field maintains its hourglass-shaped morphology down to circumstellar scales. To study the magnetic field morphology toward the four (proto)stars A, B, C, and D contained in G31.41+0.31 and examine whether the self-similarity observed at core scales ($1''$ and $0 resolution) still holds at circumstellar scales, we carried out ALMA observations of the polarized dust continuum emission at 1.3\,mm and 3.1\,mm at an angular resolution of $ sufficient to resolve the envelope emission of the embedded protostars. We used ALMA to perform full polarization observations at 233\,GHz (Band 6) and 97.5\,GHz (Band 3) with a synthesized beam of $0 We carried out polarization observations at two different wavelengths to confirm that the polarization traces magnetically aligned dust grains and is not due to dust self-scattering. The polarized emission and the direction of the magnetic field obtained at the two wavelengths are basically the same, except for an area between the embedded sources C and B. In such an area, the emission at 1.3\,mm could be optically thick and affected by dichroic extinction. In the rest of the core, the similarity of the emission at the two wavelengths suggests that the polarized emission is due to magnetically aligned grains. The polarized emission has been successfully modeled with a poloidal field with a small toroidal component on the order of 10<!PCT!> of the poloidal component, with a position angle $ an inclination $i = 50^ and a mass-to-flux ratio $ = 2.66$. The magnetic field axis is oriented perpendicular to the NE--SW velocity gradient detected in the core. The strength of the plane-of-the-sky component of the mean magnetic field, estimated using both the Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi and the polarization-intensity gradient methods, is in the range sim 10--$80$\,mG, for a density range $1.4 $. The mass-to-flux ratio is in the range $ which suggests that the core is ``supercritical''. The polarization-intensity gradient method indicates that the magnetic field cannot prevent gravitational collapse inside the massive core. The collapse in the external part of the core is (slightly) sub-Alfvénic and becomes super-Alfvénic close to the center. Dust polarization measurements from large core scales to small circumstellar scales, in the hot molecular core G31.41+0.31 have confirmed the presence of a strong magnetic field with an hourglass-shaped morphology. This result suggests that the magnetic field could have a relevant role in regulating the star-forming process of massive stars at all scales, although it cannot prevent the collapse. However, it cannot be ruled out that the large opacity of the central region of the core may hinder the study of the magnetic field at circumstellar scales. Therefore, high-angular resolution observations at longer wavelengths, tracing optically thinner emission, are needed to confirm this self-similarity.

Role of turbulent separatrix tangle in the improvement of the integrated pedestal and heat exhaust issue for stationary-operation tokamak fusion reactors

The magnetic separatrix surface is designed to provide the final and critical confinement to the hot stationary-operation core plasma in modern tokamak reactors in the absence of an external magnetic perturbation (MP) or transient magneto-hydrodynamic perturbation, while diverting the exhaust heat to divertor plates. All the stationary operational boundary plasma studies and reactor designs have been performed under this assumption. However, there has been a long-standing suspicion that a stationary-operation tokamak plasma even without external MPs or edge localized modes (ELMs) activities may not have a stable closed separatrix surface, especially near the magnetic X-point. Here, the first gyrokinetic numerical observation is reported that the divertor separatrix surface, due to homoclinic tangles caused by intrinsic electromagnetic turbulence, is not a stable closed surface in a stationary operation phase even without MPs or ELMs. Unlike the MP- or ELM-driven homoclinic tangles that could cause deleterious effects to core confinement or divertor plates, it is found that the micro-turbulence driven homoclinic tangles could connect the divertor plasma to the pedestal plasma in a constructive way by broadening the divertor heat-exhaust footprint and weakening the pedestal slope to the ELM-safe direction. Micro-turbulent homoclinic tangles can open a new research direction in understanding and controlling these two most troublesome and non-locally connected edge-plasma issues in a tokamak fusion reactor.

Complex organic molecules uncover deeply embedded precursors of hot cores. An APEX unbiased spectral survey of infrared quiet massive clumps

During the process of star formation, the dense gas undergoes significant chemical evolution leading to the emergence of a rich variety of molecules associated with hot cores and hot corinos. However, the physical conditions and the chemical processes involved in this evolution are poorly constrained. In particular, the early phases, corresponding to a stage prior to the emergence of any strong ionising emission from the protostar, are still poorly studied. In this work, we provide a full inventory of the emission from complex organic molecules (COMs) to investigate the physical structure and chemical composition of six high-mass protostellar envelopes. We aim to investigate the conditions for the emergence of COMs in hot cores. We performed an unbiased spectral survey towards six infrared-quiet massive clumps between 159 GHz and 374 GHz with the APEX 12\,m telescope, covering the entire atmospheric windows at 2\,mm, 1.2\,mm, and 0.8\,mm. To identify the spectral lines, we used rotational diagrams and radiative transfer modelling assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium. We detect up to 11 COMs plus three isotopologues, of which at least five COMs (CH$_3$OH, CH$_3$CN, CH$_3$OCHO, CH$_3$OCH$_3$, and CH$_3$CHO) are detected towards all sources. Towards all the objects, most of the COM emission is found to be cold, with respect to the typical temperatures at which COMs are found, with a temperature of 30\,K and extended with a size of sim 0.3\,pc. Although the bulk of the gas for our sample of young massive clumps has a cold temperature, we also detect emission from COMs originating from the immediate vicinity of the protostar. This warm component of the envelope is best traced by methanol and methyl cyanide, in particular methyl cyanide traces a compact (sim 1$''$) and the hottest ($T component of the envelope. Only three out of the six sources exhibit a robustly detected hot gas component (T$>$100\,K) traced by several COMs. We find a gradual emergence of the warm component in terms of size and temperature, together with an increasing molecular complexity, allowing us to establish an evolutionary sequence for our sample based on COMs. While they can already be well characterised by an emerging molecular richness, gas temperatures of COMs in the hot gas and molecular abundances suggest that COMs may become abundant in the gas phase at temperatures below the thermal desorption temperature. Our findings confirm that the sources of our sample of infrared-quiet massive clumps are in an early evolutionary stage during which the bulk of the gas is cold. The presence of COMs is found to be characteristic of these early evolutionary stages accompanying high-mass star and cluster formation. While the extent of the compact heated regions resembles that of hot cores, the molecular abundances, except for complex cyanides, resemble those of hot corinos and are lower than the peak COM abundances of hot cores. We suggest that the emergence of hot cores is preceded by a phase in which mostly O-bearing COMs appear first with similar abundances to hot corinos albeit with larger source sizes.

A spectacular galactic scale magnetohydrodynamic powered wind in ESO 320-G030

How galaxies regulate nuclear growth through gas accretion by supermassive black holes (SMBHs) is one of the most fundamental questions in galaxy evolution. One potential way to regulate nuclear growth is through a galactic wind that removes gas from the nucleus. It is unclear whether galactic winds are powered by jets, mechanical winds, radiation, or via magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes. Compact obscured nuclei (CONs) represent a significant phase of galactic nuclear growth. These galaxies hide growing SMBHs or unusual starbursts in their very opaque, extremely compact (r $<$ 100 pc) centres. They are found in approximately 30<!PCT!> of the luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG and ULIRG) population. Here, we present high-resolution ALMA observations (sim 30 mas, sim 5 pc) of ground-state and vibrationally excited HCN towards (IRAS 11506−3851). is an isolated luminous infrared galaxy known to host a compact obscured nucleus and a kiloparsec-scale molecular wind. Our analysis of these high-resolution observations excludes the possibility of a starburst-driven wind, a mechanically or energy driven active galactic nucleus (AGN) wind, and exposes a molecular MDH wind. These results imply that the nuclear evolution of galaxies and the growth of SMBHs are similar to the growth of hot cores or protostars where gravitational collapse of the nuclear torus drives a MHD wind. These results mean galaxies are capable, in part, of regulating the evolution of their nuclei without feedback.

ALMA-IMF. X. The core population in the evolved W33-Main (G012.80) protocluster

One of the central questions in astrophysics is the origin of the initial mass function (IMF). It is intrinsically linked to the processes from which it originates, and hence its connection with the core mass function (CMF) must be elucidated. We aim to measure the CMF in the evolved W33-Main star-forming protocluster to compare it with CMF recently obtained in other Galactic star-forming regions, including the ones that are part of the ALMA-IMF program. We used observations from the ALMA-IMF large programme: sim 2$' 2'$ maps of emission from the continuum and selected lines at 1.3 mm and 3 mm observed by the ALMA 12m only antennas. Our angular resolution was typically 1$''$, that is, sim 2400 au at a distance of 2.4 kpc. The lines we analysed are CO (2--1), SiO (5--4), N$_2$H$^+$ (1--0), H41alpha as well as He41alpha blended with C41alpha . We built a census of dense cores in the region, and we measured the associated CMF based on a core-dependent temperature value. We confirmed the evolved' status of W33-Main by identifiying three H II regions within the field, and to a lesser extent based on the number and extension of N$_2$H$^+$ filaments. We produced a filtered core catalogue of 94 candidates that we refined to take into account the contamination of the continuum by free-free and line emission, obtaining 80 cores with masses that range from 0.03 to 13.2 $M_ odot $. We fitted the resulting high-mass end of the CMF with a single power law of the form N(log(M)) propto M$^ alpha $, obtaining $ $, which is slightly steeper but consistent with the Salpeter index. We categorised our cores as prestellar and protostellar, mostly based on outflow activity and hot core nature. We found the prestellar CMF to be steeper than a Salpeter-like distribution, and the protostellar CMF to be slightly top heavy. We found a higher proportion of cores within the H II regions and their surroundings than in the rest of the field. We also found that the cores' masses were rather low (maximum mass of sim 13 $M_ odot$). We find that star formation in W33-Main could be compatible with a clump-fed' scenario of star formation in an evolved cloud characterised by stellar feedback in the form of H II regions, and under the influence of massive stars outside the field. Our results differ from those found in less evolved young star-forming regions in the ALMA-IMF program. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the evolution of late CMFs towards the IMF over statistically significant samples.

The GUAPOS project – V: The chemical ingredients of a massive stellar protocluster in the making

ABSTRACT Most stars, including the Sun, are born in rich stellar clusters containing massive stars. Therefore, the study of the chemical reservoir of massive star-forming regions is crucial to understand the basic chemical ingredients available at the dawn of planetary systems. We present a detailed study of the molecular inventory of the hot molecular core G31.41+0.31 from the project GUAPOS (G31.41+0.31 Unbiased ALMA sPectral Observational Survey). We analyse 34 species for the first time plus 20 species analysed in previous GUAPOS works, including oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and chlorine species. We compare the abundances derived in G31.41+0.31 with those observed in other chemically-rich sources that represent the initial and last stages of the formation of stars and planets: the hot corino in the Solar-like protostar IRAS 16293-2422 B, and the comets 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and 46P/Wirtanen. The comparative analysis reveals that the chemical feedstock of the two star-forming regions are similar. The abundances of oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing molecules exhibit a good correlation for all pair of sources, including the two comets, suggesting a chemical heritage of these species during the process of star formation, and hence an early phase formation of the molecules. However, sulfur- and phosphorus-bearing species present worse correlations, being more abundant in comets. This suggests that while sulfur- and phosphorus-bearing species are pre-dominantly trapped on the surface of icy grains in the hot close surroundings of protostars, they could be more easily released into gas phase in comets, allowing their cosmic abundances to be almost recovered.

JOYS: MIRI/MRS spectroscopy of gas-phase molecules from the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 23385+6053

Context. Space-based mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the characterization of important star formation tracers of warm gas which are unobservable from the ground. The previous mid-IR spectra of bright high-mass protostars with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) in the hot-core phase typically show strong absorption features from molecules such as CO2, C2H2, and HCN. However, little is known about their fainter counterparts at earlier stages. Aims. We aim to characterize the gas-phase molecular features in James Webb Space Telescope Mid-Infrared Instrument Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MIRI/MRS) spectra of the young and clustered high-mass star-forming region IRAS 23385+6053. Methods. Spectra were extracted from several locations in the MIRI/MRS field of view, targeting two mid-IR sources tracing embedded massive protostars as well as three H2 bright outflow knots at distances of >8000 au from the multiple. Molecular features in the spectra were fit with local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) slab models, with their caveats discussed in detail. Results. Rich molecular spectra with emission from CO, H2, HD, H2O, C2H2, HCN, CO2, and OH are detected towards the two mid-IR sources. However, only CO and OH are seen towards the brightest H2 knot positions, suggesting that the majority of the observed species are associated with disks or hot core regions rather than outflows or shocks. The LTE model fits to 12CO2, C2H2, HCN emission suggest warm 120–200 K emission arising from a disk surface around one or both protostars. The abundances of CO2 and C2H2 of ~10−7 are consistent with previous observations of high-mass protostars. Weak ~500 K H2O emission at ~6–7 µm is detected towards one mid-IR source, whereas 250–1050 K H2O absorption is found in the other. The H2O absorption may occur in the disk atmosphere due to strong accretion-heating of the midplane, or in a disk wind viewed at an ideal angle for absorption. CO emission may originate in the hot inner disk or outflow shocks, but NIRSpec data covering the 4.6 µm band head are required to determine the physical conditions of the CO gas, as the high temperatures seen in the MIRI data may be due to optical depth. OH emission is detected towards both mid-IR source positions and one of the shocks, and is likely excited by water photodissociation or chemical formation pumping in a highly non-LTE manner. Conclusions. The observed molecular spectra are consistent with disks having already formed around two protostars in the young IRAS 23385+6054 system. Molecular features mostly appear in emission from a variety of species, in contrast to the more evolved hot core phase protostars which typically show only absorption; however, further observations of young high-mass protostars are needed to disentangle geometry and viewing angle effects from evolution.

Large-scale Mapping Observations of DCN and DCO+ toward Orion KL

We present emission maps ( 1.′5×1.′5 scale, corresponding to 0.18 pc) of the DCN (J = 2 − 1) and DCO+ (J = 2 − 1) lines in the 2 mm band toward the Orion KL region obtained with the 2 mm receiver system named B4R installed on the Large Millimeter Telescope. The DCN emission shows a peak at the Orion KL hot core position, whereas no DCO+ emission has been detected there. The DCO+ emission shows enhancement at the west side of the hot core, which is well shielded from the UV radiation from OB massive stars in the Trapezium cluster. We have derived the abundance ratio of DCN/DCO+ at three representative positions where both species have been detected. The gas components with V LSR ≈ 7.5–8.7 km s−1 are associated with low abundance ratios of ∼4–6, whereas much higher abundance ratios (∼22–30) are derived for the gas components with V LSR ≈ 9.2–11.6 km s−1. We have compared the observed abundance ratio to our chemical models and found that the observed differences in the DCN/DCO+ abundance ratios are explained by different densities.

The GUAPOS project: G31.41+0.31 Unbiased ALMA sPectral Observational Survey

Context. The astrochemistry of the important biogenic element phosphorus (P) is still poorly understood, but observational evidence indicates that P-bearing molecules are likely associated with shocks. Aims. We study P-bearing molecules and some shock tracers towards one of the chemically richest hot molecular cores, G31.41+0.31, in the framework of the project “G31.41+0.31 Unbiased ALMA sPectral Observational Survey” (GUAPOS), which is being carried out with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). Methods. We observed the molecules PN, PO, SO, SO2, SiO, and SiS through their rotational lines in the spectral range 84.05– 115.91 GHz covered by the GUAPOS project. Results. PN is clearly detected, while PO is tentatively detected. The PN emission arises from two regions southwest of the hot core peak, named regions 1 and 2 here, and is undetected or tentatively detected towards the hot core peak. The PN and SiO lines are very similar both in spatial emission morphology and spectral shape. Region 1 is partly overlapping with the hot core and is warmer than region 2, which is well separated from the hot core and located along the outflows identified in previous studies. The SO, SO2, and SiS emissions are also detected towards the PN-emitting regions 1 and 2, but arise mostly from the hot core. Moreover, the column density ratio SiO/PN remains constant in regions 1 and 2, while SO/PN, SiS/PN, and SO2/PN decrease by about an order of magnitude from region 1 to region 2, indicating that SiO and PN have a common origin even in regions with different physical conditions. The PO/PN ratio in region 2, where PO is tentatively detected, is ~0.6–0.9, which is in line with the predictions of pure shock models. Conclusions. Our study provides robust confirmation of previous observational evidence that PN emission is tightly associated with SiO and is likely a product of shock chemistry, as the lack of a clear detection of PN towards the hot core allows us to rule out relevant formation pathways in hot gas. We propose the PN-emitting region 2 as a new astrophysical laboratory for shock-chemistry studies.

Thermal Properties of the Hot Core Population in Sagittarius B2 Deep South

We report the discovery of nine new hot molecular cores in the Deep South (DS) region of Sagittarius B2 using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 6 observations. We measure the rotational temperature of CH3OH and derive the physical conditions present within these cores and the hot core Sgr B2(S). The cores show heterogeneous temperature structure, with peak temperatures between 252 and 662 K. We find that the cores span a range of masses (203–4842 M ⊙) and radii (3587–9436 au). CH3OH abundances consistently increase with temperature across the sample. Our measurements show the DS hot cores are structurally similar to Galactic disk hot cores, with radii and temperature gradients that are comparable to sources in the disk. They also show shallower density gradients than disk hot cores, which may arise from the Central Molecular Zone’s higher density threshold for star formation. The hot cores have properties which are consistent with those of Sgr B2(N), with three associated with Class II CH3OH masers and one associated with an ultra-compact H ii region. Our sample nearly doubles the high-mass star-forming gas mass near Sgr B2(S) and suggests the region may be a younger, comparably massive counterpart to Sgr B2(N) and (M). The relationship between peak CH3OH abundance and rotational temperature traced by our sample and a selection of comparable hot cores is qualitatively consistent with predictions from chemical modeling. However, we observe constant peak abundances at higher temperatures (T ≳ 250 K), which may indicate mechanisms for methanol survival that are not yet accounted for in models.

JOYS+: Mid-infrared detection of gas-phase SO2 emission in a low-mass protostar

Context. Thanks to the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), our ability to observe the star formation process in the infrared has greatly improved. Due to its unprecedented spatial and spectral resolution and sensitivity in the mid-infrared, JWST/MIRI can see through highly extincted protostellar envelopes and probe the warm inner regions. An abundant molecule in these warm inner regions is SO2, which is a common tracer of both outflow and accretion shocks as well as hot core chemistry. Aims. This paper presents the first mid-infrared detection of gaseous SO2 emission in an embedded low-mass protostellar system rich in complex molecules and aims to determine the physical origin of the SO2 emission. Methods. JWST/MIRI observations taken with the Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) of the low-mass protostellar binary NGC 1333 IRAS 2A in the JWST Observations of Young protoStars (JOYS+) program are presented. The observations reveal emission from the SO2 v3 asymmetric stretching mode at 7.35 µm. Using simple slab models and assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), we derived the rotational temperature and total number of SO2 molecules. We then compared the results to those derived from high-angular-resolution SO2 data on the same scales (~50–100 au) obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Results. The SO2 emission from the v3 band is predominantly located on ~50–100 au scales around the mid-infrared continuum peak of the main component of the binary, IRAS 2A1. A rotational temperature of 92 ± 8 K is derived from the v3 lines. This is in good agreement with the rotational temperature derived from pure rotational lines in the vibrational ground state (i.e., v = 0) with ALMA (104 ± 5 K), which are extended over similar scales. However, the emission of the v3 lines in the MIRI-MRS spectrum is not in LTE given that the total number of molecules predicted by a LTE model is found to be a factor of 2 × 104 higher than what is derived for the v = 0 state from the ALMA data. This difference can be explained by a vibrational temperature that is ~100 K higher than the derived rotational temperature of the v = 0 state: Tvib ~ 200 K versus Trot = 104 ± 5 K. The brightness temperature derived from the continuum around the v3 band (~7.35 µm) of SO2 is ~180 K, which confirms that the v3 = 1 level is not collisionally populated but rather infrared-pumped by scattered radiation. This is also consistent with the non-detection of the v2 bending mode at 18–20 µm. The similar rotational temperature derived from the MIRI-MRS and ALMA data implies that they are in fact tracing the same molecular gas. The inferred abundance of SO2 , determined using the LTE fit to the lines of the vibrational ground state in the ALMA data, is 1.0 ± 0.3 × 10−8 with respect to H2, which is on the lower side compared to interstellar and cometary ices (10−8−10−7). Conclusions. Given the rotational temperature, the extent of the emission (~100 au in radius), and the narrow line widths in the ALMA data (~3.5 km s−1), the SO2 in IRAS 2A likely originates from ice sublimation in the central hot core around the protostar rather than from an accretion shock at the disk–envelope boundary. Furthermore, this paper shows the importance of radiative pumping and of combining JWST observations with those from millimeter interferometers such as ALMA to probe the physics on disk scales and to infer molecular abundances.

Detection of possible glycine precursor molecule methylamine towards the hot molecular core G358.93–0.03 MM1

The search for the simplest amino acid, glycine (NH2CH2COOH), in the interstellar medium (ISM) has become a never-ending story for astrochemistry and astrophysics researchers because that molecule plays a possible connection between the Universe and the origin of life. In the last forty years, all searches for NH2CH2COOH in the ISM at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths have failed. Since the detection of NH2CH2COOH in the ISM is extremely difficult, we aime to search for the possible precursors of NH2CH2COOH. Earlier, many laboratory experiments have suggested that methylamine (CH3NH2) plays an important role in the ISM as a possible precursor of NH2CH2COOH. After spectral analysis using the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) model, we identified the rotational emission lines of CH3NH2 towards the hot molecular core G358.93–0.03 MM1 using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). The column density of CH3NH2 towards the G358.93–0.03 MM1 is estimated to be (1.10 ± 0.31)×1017 cm−2 with an excitation temperature of 180.8 ± 25.5 K. The fractional abundance of CH3NH2 with respect to H2 towards the G358.93–0.03 MM1 is (8.80 ± 2.60)×10−8. The column density ratio of CH3NH2 and NH2CN towards G358.93–0.03 MM1 is (1.86 ± 0.95)×102. The estimated fractional abundance of CH3NH2 towards the G358.93–0.03 MM1 agrees fairly well with the previous three-phase warm-up chemical modelling abundance of CH3NH2. We also discuss the possible formation mechanism of CH3NH2, and we find that CH3NH2 is most probably formed via the reactions of radical CH3 and radical NH2 on the grain surface of G358.93–0.03 MM1.

Shocking Sgr B2 (N1) with its own outflow

Aims. Because studies on complex organic molecules (COMs) in high-mass protostellar outflows are sparse, we want to investigate how a powerful outflow, such as that driven by the exciting source of the prominent hot core Sagittarius B2(N1), influences the gas molecular inventory of the surrounding medium with which it interacts. Identifying chemical differences to the hot core unaffected by the outflow and what causes them may help to better understand molecular segregation in other star-forming regions. Methods. We made use of the data taken as part of the 3 mm imaging spectral-line survey Re-exploring Molecular Complexity with ALMA (ReMoCA). We studied the morphology of the emission regions of simple and complex molecules in Sgr B2 (N1). For a selection of twelve COMs and four simpler species, spectra were modelled under the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium and population diagrams were derived at two positions, one in each lobe of the outflow. From this analysis, we obtained rotational temperatures and column densities. Abundances were subsequently compared to predictions of astrochemical models and to observations of L1157-B1, a position located in the well-studied outflow of the low-mass protostar L1157, and the source G+0.693-0.027 (G0.693), located in the Sgr B2 molecular cloud complex, which are other regions whose chemistry has been impacted by shocks. Results. Integrated intensity maps of SO and SiO emission reveal a bipolar structure with blue-shifted emission dominantly extending to the south-east from the centre of the hot core and red-shifted emission to the north-west. The morphology of both lobes is complex but can roughly be characterised by an emission component at a larger opening angle, containing most of the emission, and narrower features. The wider-angle component is also prominently observed in emission of S-bearing molecules and species that only contain N as a heavy element, including COMs, but also CH3OH, CH3CHO, HNCO, and NH2CHO. Rotational temperatures are found in the range of ~ 100–200 K. Abundances of N-bearing molecules with respect to CH3OH are enhanced in the outflow component compared to N1S, a position that is not impacted by the outflow. A comparison of molecular abundances with G+0.693–0.027 and L1157-B1 does not show any correlations, suggesting that a shock produced by the outflow impacts Sgr B2 (N1)’s material differently or that the initial conditions were different. Conclusions. The short distance of the analysed outflow positions to the centre of Sgr B2 (N1) lead us to propose a scenario in which a phase of hot-core chemistry (i.e. thermal desorption of ice species and high-temperature gas-phase chemistry) preceded a shock wave. The subsequent compression and further heating of the material resulted in the accelerated destruction of (mainly O-bearing) molecules. Gas-phase formation of cyanides seems to be able to compete with their destruction in the post-shock gas. The abundances of cyanopolyynes are enhanced in the outflow component pointing to (additional) gas-phase formation, possibly incorporating atomic N sourced from ammonia in the post-shock gas. To confirm such a scenario, chemical shock models need to be run that take into account the pre- and post-shock conditions of Sgr B2 (N1). In any case, the results provide new perspectives on shock chemistry and the importance of the environment in which it occurs.

Astrochemical Diagnostics of the Isolated Massive Protostar G28.20-0.05

We study the astrochemical diagnostics of the isolated massive protostar G28.20-0.05. We analyze data from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 1.3 mm observations with a resolution of 0.″2 (∼1000 au). We detect emission from a wealth of species, including oxygen-bearing (e.g., H2CO, CH3OH, CH3OCH3), sulfur-bearing (SO2, H2S), and nitrogen-bearing (e.g., HNCO, NH2CHO, C2H3CN, C2H5CN) molecules. We discuss their spatial distributions, physical conditions, correlation between different species, and possible chemical origins. In the central region near the protostar, we identify three hot molecular cores (HMCs). HMC1 is part of a millimeter continuum ring-like structure, is closest in projection to the protostar, has the highest temperature of ∼300 K, and shows the most line-rich spectra. HMC2 is on the other side of the ring, has a temperature of ∼250 K, and is of intermediate chemical complexity. HMC3 is further away, ∼3000 au in projection, cooler (∼70 K), and is the least line-rich. The three HMCs have similar mass surface densities (∼10 g cm−2), number densities (n H ∼ 109 cm−3), and masses of a few solar masses. The total gas mass in the cores and in the region out to 3000 au is ∼25 M ⊙, which is comparable to that of the central protostar. Based on spatial distributions of peak line intensities as a function of excitation energy, we infer that the HMCs are externally heated by the protostar. We estimate column densities and abundances of the detected species and discuss the implications for hot core astrochemistry.

Detection and prebiotic chemistry of possible glycine precursor molecule methylenimine towards the hot molecular core G10.47+0.03

Abstract Amino acids are essential for the synthesis of protein. Amino acids contain both amine (R–NH2) and carboxylic acid (R–COOH) functional groups, which help to understand the possible formation mechanism of life in the universe. Among the 20 types of amino acids, glycine (NH2CH2COOH) is known as the simplest non-essential amino acid. In the last 40 years, all surveys of NH2CH2COOH in the interstellar medium, especially in the star-formation regions, have failed at the millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelengths. We aimed to identify the possible precursors of NH2CH2COOH, because it is highly challenging to identify NH2CH2COOH in the interstellar medium. Many laboratory experiments have suggested that methylenimine (CH2NH) plays a key role as a possible precursor of NH2CH2COOH in the star-formation regions via the Strecker synthesis reaction. After spectral analysis using the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) model, we successfully identified the rotational emission lines of CH2NH towards the hot molecular core G10.47+0.03 using the Atacama Compact Array (ACA). The estimated column density of CH2NH towards G10.47+0.03 is (3.40 ± 0.2) × 1015 cm−2 with a rotational temperature of 218.70 ± 20 K, which is estimated from the rotational diagram. The fractional abundance of CH2NH with respect to H2 towards G10.47+0.03 is 2.61 × 10−8. We found that the derived abundance of CH2NH agree fairly well with the existing two-phase warm-up chemical modelling abundance value of CH2NH. We discuss the possible formation pathways of CH2NH within the context of hot molecular cores, and we find that CH2NH is likely mainly formed via neutral–neutral gas-phase reactions of CH3 and NH radicals towards G10.47+0.03.

Application of finite difference method to 2D heat conduction in young hydrating mass concretes structures.

Finite Difference Method is a numerical approximation scheme usually applied in solving differential equations derived from the knowledge of the behaviour of engineering systems. Due to the unsteady state nature of cement hydration and heat conduction in concretes, Crank Nicholson implicit approach was adopted. Concrete block of size 1.10 m x 1.10 m x 1.10 m, cast with mix ratio 1:3:6, probed thermocouples and digital thermometer were used to verify the numerical computational analysis. The temperature profile depicted a relatively hot core, with peak temperature values occurring at 24 hours of placement. Implicit finite difference method was utilized in determining time dependent temperature profile within mass concretes at early ages. The paper could provide a guide towards proactive decision making in terms of controlling thermal cracks.

A survey of molecular line emission towards Herbig Be star V645 Cyg

ABSTRACT We present a survey of molecular line emission towards the molecular cloud surrounding Herbig Be star V645 Cyg. The survey was performed with the 20-m Onsala space telescope at 3 and 4 mm. We detected emission lines of 33 molecules and their isotopologues from diatomic molecules to four COMs up to seven atoms. Using detected lines, we estimated molecular column densities and abundances relative to molecular hydrogen in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) approximation for all molecules except for methanol, for which we obtained physical parameters using a non-LTE model. Moreover, in the basement of the non-LTE model of methanol line emission, we consider that there is a weak maser effect in the additional spectral component of 51–40 E methanol line at 84.521 GHz. We compared the molecular abundances with values found in several astrochemical templates: molecular clouds, hot cores, and photodissociation regions, and found that signatures of these different types can be found towards V645 Cyg. We also obtained maps of the cloud in several molecular emission lines. The peaks of CO and CH3OH emission are shifted from the direction of the star, but the CS, HCO+, HNC, HCN, and N2H+ emission peaks are observed directly towards the star. Exploring the gas kinematics around V645 Cyg, we found that velocity structure in the ambient molecular cloud on the scale ≈1.6–2.0 pc is not the same as within ≈0.5 pc found previously by other authors.