Submillimeter CO Research Articles

High-resolution Near-infrared Polarimetry and Submillimeter Imaging of FS Tau A: Possible Streamers in Misaligned Circumbinary Disk System

Abstract We analyzed the young (2.8 Myr-old) binary system FS Tau A using near-infrared (H-band) high-contrast polarimetry data from Subaru/HiCIAO and submillimeter CO (J = 2–1) line emission data from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Both the near-infrared and submillimeter observations reveal several clear structures extending to ∼240 au from the stars. Based on these observations at different wavelengths, we report the following discoveries. One arm-like structure detected in the near-infrared band initially extends from the south of the binary with a subsequent turn to the northeast, corresponding to two bar-like structures detected in ALMA observations with an local standard of rest kinematic (LSRK) velocity of 1.19–5.64 km s−1. Another feature detected in the near-infrared band extends initially from the north of the binary, relating to an arm-like structure detected in ALMA observations with an LSRK velocity of 8.17–16.43 km s−1. From their shapes and velocities, we suggest that these structures can mostly be explained by two streamers that connect the outer circumbinary disk and the central binary components. These discoveries will be helpful for understanding the evolution of streamers and circumstellar disks in young binary systems.

ALMA REVEALS POTENTIAL LOCALIZED DUST ENRICHMENT FROM MASSIVE STAR CLUSTERS IN II Zw 40

ABSTRACT We present subarcsecond images of submillimeter CO and continuum emission from a local galaxy forming massive star clusters: the blue compact dwarf galaxy II Zw 40. At ∼0.″4 resolution (20 pc), the CO(3-2), CO(1-0), 3 mm, and 870 μm continuum maps illustrate star formation on the scales of individual molecular clouds. Dust contributes about one-third of the 870 μm continuum emission, with free–free accounting for the rest. On these scales, there is not a good correspondence between gas, dust, and free–free emission. Dust continuum is enhanced toward the star-forming region as compared to the CO emission. We suggest that an unexpectedly low and spatially variable gas-to-dust ratio is the result of rapid and localized dust enrichment of clouds by the massive clusters of the starburst.

Circulation of the Venus upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere: Doppler wind measurements from 2001–2009 inferior conjunction, sub-millimeter CO absorption line observations

Sub-millimeter 12CO (346 GHz) and 13CO (330 GHz) line absorptions, formed within the mesospheric to lower thermospheric altitude (70–120 km) region of the Venus atmosphere, have been mapped across the nightside disk of Venus during 2001–2009 inferior conjunctions, employing the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Radiative transfer analysis of these thermal line absorptions supports temperature and CO mixing profile retrievals, as described in a companion paper ( Clancy et al., 2012). Here, we consider the analysis of the sharp line absorption cores of these CO spectra in terms of accurate Doppler wind profile measurements at 95–115 km altitudes versus local time (∼8 pm–4 am) and latitude (∼60N–60S). These Doppler wind measurements support determinations of the nightside zonal and subsolar-to-antisolar (SSAS) circulation components over a variety of timescales. The average behavior fitted from 21 retrieved maps of 12CO Doppler winds (obtained over hourly, daily, weekly, and interannual intervals) indicates stronger average zonal (85 m/s retrograde) versus SSAS (65 m/s) circulation at the 1 μbar pressure (108–110 km altitude) level. However, the absolute and relative magnitudes of these circulation components exhibit extreme variability over daily to weekly timescales. Furthermore, the individual Doppler wind measurements within each nightside mapping observation generally show significant deviations (20–50 m/s, averaged over 5000 km horizontal scales) from the simple zonal/SSAS solution, with distinct local time and latitudinal characters that are also time variable. These large scale residual circulations contribute 30–70% of the observed nightside Doppler winds at any given time, and may be most responsible for global variations in nightside lower thermospheric trace composition and temperatures, as coincidentally retrieved CO abundance and temperature distributions do not correlate with solution retrograde zonal and SSAS winds (see companion paper, Clancy et al., 2012). Limited comparisons of these nightside submillimeter results with dayside infrared Doppler wind measurements suggest distinct dayside versus nightside circulations, in terms of zonal winds in particular. Combined 12CO and 13CO Doppler wind mapping observations obtained since 2004 indicate that the average zonal and SSAS wind components increase by 50–100% between altitudes of 100 and 115 km. If gravity waves originating from the cloud levels are responsible for the extension of zonal winds into the thermosphere (Alexander, M.J. [1992]. Geophys. Res. Lett. 19, 2207–2210), such waves deposit substantial momentum (i.e., break) in the lower nightside thermosphere.

M-BAND SPECTRA OF DUST-EMBEDDED SOURCES AT THE GALACTIC CENTER

The goal of the present paper is to investigate the circumstellar material around the brightest dust-enshrouded sources in the central stellar cluster of the Milky Way. Observations have been carried out at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Paranal, Chile. We have used the long wavelength (LWS3) low resolution (LR) spectroscopic mode of the ISAAC camera at the VLT in the spectral range of the M filter from 4.4 μm to 5.1 μm. The use of a slit width of 06 implied a spectral resolution of R = λ/Δλ = 800 (Δv = 375 km s−1). These observations resulted in the M-band spectra of 15 bright sources in the central stellar cluster of the Milky Way. In addition to gaseous 12CO (4.666 μm) and 13CO (4.77 μm) vibration-rotational absorptions, we detect a strong absorption due to a mixture of polar and apolar CO ice (centered at 4.675 μm). In the shorter wavelength absorption wing there is an absorption feature due to XCN at 4.62 μm. The XCN absorption is strongest toward the M2 supergiant IRS 7. We find that the extinctions due to material traced by the CO ice and the CO gas absorptions may be of comparable importance. Using the spectra of IRS 2L and IRS 16C, we perform a first order correction of the line-of-sight absorption due to CO ice and 13CO gas. In combination with published hydrogen number density estimates from sub-millimeter CO(7–6) and FIR [O i] line data, we obtain gas masses of the circumstellar shells of the order of 10−3 and 10−2 M☉. This implies that in future spectra taken at high spectral and angular resolution the bright and dust-embedded Galactic center sources should show a substantial line absorption due to source intrinsic absorption.

A shallow though extensive H22.122-μm imaging survey of Taurus-Auriga-Perseus - I. NGC 1333, L1455, L1448 and B1

We discuss wide-field near-infrared (near-IR) imaging of the NGC 1333, L1448, L1455 and B1 star-forming regions in Perseus. The observations have been extracted from a much larger narrow-band imaging survey of the Taurus-Auriga-Perseus complex. These H-2 2.122-mu m observations are complemented by broad-band K imaging, mid-IR imaging and photometry from the Spitzer Space Telescope, and published submillimetre CO J = 3-2 maps of high-velocity molecular outflows. We detect and label 85 H-2 features and associate these with 26 molecular outflows. Three are parsec-scale flows, with a mean flow lobe length exceeding 11.5 arcmin. 37 (44 per cent) of the detected H-2 features are associated with a known Herbig-Haro object, while 72 (46 per cent) of catalogued HH objects are detected in H-2 emission. Embedded Spitzer sources are identified for all but two of the 26 molecular outflows. These candidate outflow sources all have high near-to-mid-IR spectral indices (mean value of alpha similar to 1.4) as well as red IRAC 3.6-4.5 mu m and IRAC/MIPS 4.5-24.0 mu m colours: 80 per cent have [3.6]-[4.5] > 1.0 and [4.5]-[24] > 1.5. These criteria - high alpha and red [4.5]-[24] and [3.6]-[4.5] colours - are powerful discriminants when searching for molecular outflow sources. However, we find no correlation between alpha and flow length or opening angle, and the outflows appear randomly orientated in each region. The more massive clouds are associated with a greater number of outflows, which suggests that the star formation efficiency is roughly the same in each region.

A Low‐Mass H2Component to the AU Microscopii Circumstellar Disk

We present a determination of the molecular gas mass in the AU Microscopii circumstellar disk. Direct detection of a gas component to the AU Mic disk has proven elusive, with upper limits derived from ultraviolet absorption line and submillimeter CO emission studies. Fluorescent emission lines of H2, pumped by the O VI λ1032 resonance line through the C-X (1-1) Q(3) λ1031.87 A transition, are detected by the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer. These lines are used to derive the H2 column density associated with the AU Mic system. The derived column density is in the range N(H2) = 1.9 × 1017 to 2.8 × 1015 cm-2, roughly 2 orders of magnitude lower than the upper limit inferred from absorption line studies. This range of column densities reflects the range of H2 excitation temperature consistent with the observations, T(H2) = 800-2000 K, derived from the presence of emission lines excited by O VI in the absence of those excited by Lyα. Within the observational uncertainties, the data are consistent with the H2 gas residing in the disk. The inferred N(H2) range corresponds to H2-to-dust ratios of : 1 and a total M(H2) = 4.0 × 10-4 to 5.8 × 10-6 M⊕. We use these results to predict the intensity of the associated rovibrational emission lines of H2 at infrared wavelengths covered by ground-based instruments, HST NICMOS, and the Spitzer IRS.

A massive, dusty toroid with large grains in the pre-planetary nebula IRAS22036+5306

Using the Submillimeter Array (SMA), we have obtained high angular-resolution (∼1″) interferometric maps of the submillimeter (0.88 mm) continuum and CO J=3–2 line from IRAS 22036+5306 (I 22036), a bipolar pre-planetary nebula (PPN) with knotty jets discovered in our HST SNAPshot survey of young PPNe. In addition, we have obtained supporting lower-resolution (∼10″) 2.6 mm continuum and CO, 13CO J=1–0 observations with the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) interferometer. We find an unresolved source of submillimeter (and millimeter-wave) continuum emission in I 22036, implying a very substantial mass (0.02–0.04M ⊙) of large (i.e., radius ≳1 mm), cold (≲50 K) dust grains associated with I 22036’s toroidal waist. The CO J=3–2 observations show the presence of a very fast (∼220 km s−1), highly collimated, massive (0.03M ⊙) bipolar outflow with a very large scalar momentum (about 1039 g cm s−1), and the characteristic spatio-kinematic structure of bow-shocks at the tips of this outflow. The fast outflow in I 22036, as in most PPNe, cannot be driven by radiation pressure. The large mass of the torus suggests that it has most likely resulted from common-envelope evolution in a binary, however it remains to be seen whether or not the time-scales required for the growth of grains to millimeter sizes in the torus are commensurate with such a formation scenario. The presence of the torus should facilitate the formation of the accretion disk needed to launch the jet. We also find that the 13C/12C ratio in I 22036 is very high (0.16), close to the maximum value achieved in equilibrium CNO-nucleosynthesis (0.33). The combination of the high circumstellar mass (i.e., in the torus and an extended dust shell inferred from ISO far-infrared spectra) and the high 13C/12C ratio in I 22036 provides strong support for this object having evolved from a massive (≳4M ⊙) progenitor in which hot-bottom-burning has occurred.

The interaction of young massive stars with their environment

Using the 15-m Swedish ESO Sub-millimeter Telescope (SEST), CO, HCN, and HCO+ observations of the galactic star-forming region NGC 6334 FIR II are presented, complemented by [C i] 3PP0 and 3PP1 data from the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX 12-m telescope). Embedded in the extended molecular cloud and associated with the H ii region NGC 6334–D, there is a molecular “void”. [C i] correlates well with 13CO and other molecular lines and shows no rim brightening relative to molecular cloud regions farther off the void. While an interpretation in terms of a highly clumped cloud morphology is possible, with photon dominated regions (PDRs) reaching deep into the cloud, the data do not provide any direct evidence for a close association of [C i] with PDRs. Kinetic temperatures are ~40-50 K in the molecular cloud and 200 K toward the void. CO and [C i] excitation temperatures are similar. A comparison of molecular and atomic fine structure line emission with the far infrared and radio continuum as well as the distribution of 2.2m H2 emission indicates that the well-evolved H ii region expands into a medium that is homogeneous on pc-scales. If the H2 emission is predominantly shock excited, both the expanding ionization front (classified as subsonic, “D-type”) and the associated shock front farther out (traced by H2) can be identified, observationally confirming for the first time a classical scenario that is predicted by evolutionary models of Hii regions. Integrated line intensity ratios of the observed molecules are determined, implying a mean C18O/C17O abundance ratio of 4.13 ± 0.13 that reflects the 18O/17O isotope ratio. This ratio is consistent with values determined in nearby clouds. Right at the edge of the void, however, the oxygen isotope ratio might be smaller.

A survey of submillimeter C and CO lines in nearby galaxies

The submillimeter CO lines are formed in warm and dense molecular gas and are therefore sensitive to the physical conditions whereas the CO (J=1-0) line is a tracer of the total molecular gas mass. In order to be able to compare the properties of molecular gas in nearby and distant galaxies, we have observed C and CO submillimeter lines (including the 12CO(6-5) and 12CO(7-6) lines) in a sample of nearby galaxies using the CSO. We have obtained a complete view of the CO cooling curve (also called CO spectral energy distribution) by combining the submillimeter CSO data with previous observations found in the literature. We made use of Large Velocity Gradient (LVG) models to analyse the observed CO cooling curve, predict CO line intensities from J=1-0 to J=15-14 in the studied galaxies, and derive the physical properties of the warm and dense molecular gas : the kinetic temperature (TK); the gas density (n(H2)); the N(12CO)/$\Delta v$. The predictions for the line intensities and for the total CO cooling power, obtained from LVG modelling have been compared with predictions from Photo Dissociation Regions (PDR) models. We show how the CO SED varies according to the galaxy star forming activity. For active nuclei, the peak is located near the 12CO(6-5) or 12CO(7-6) rotational lines, while, for normal nuclei, most of the energy is carried by the 12CO(4-3) and 12CO(5-4) lines. Whatever the spectral type of the nucleus, the observed C cooling rate is lower than the observed CO cooling rate (by a factor of around 4). The CO cooling curve of nearby starburst galaxies (e.g. NGC 253) has a quite similar shape to the CO cooling curve of distant galaxies. Therefore, the CO cooling curves are useful diagnostics for the star forming activity in distant objects.

CO(4–3) and CO(7–6) maps of the nucleus of NGC 253

Context. Molecular line excitation studies of the nuclei of nearby starburst galaxies yield important information on the starburst phenomena, in particular on the temperature and density of the star-forming gas. Such studies also provide templates for high redshift galaxies with even more extreme star formation. Aims. Fundamental constraints on the physical properties in the nuclear regions of external galaxies can be derived from the spectral energy distribution (i.e., integrated flux density vs. rotational quantum number) of CO rotational emission arising from warm gas. Methods. The resolution and sensitivity of the APEX telescope makes it feasible to perform spatially resolved studies of submillimeter (submm) CO emission from the warm, dense gas in nearby starburst nuclei. Using the FLASH dual-channel heterodyne receiver we mapped emission in the CO J = 4-3 and 7-6 lines toward the archetypical nuclear starburst galaxy NGC 253. Results. Combining our new observations with data from the literature, we derive the CO line SED in the central 250 pc of NGC 253, which peaks near the 6-5 transition and has a shape very similar to that of M 82. All CO transitions in the central region can well be fitted with a single temperature/density Large Velocity Gradient (LVG) model. A good match to the observations is found by assuming kinetic gas temperatures that are comparable to the dust temperature (T kin ≈ 60 K) and a H 2 density of order 10 4 cm -3 . Conclusions. Our very first APEX submm study of a nearby starburst nucleus (NGC 253) meaningfully constrains the physical properties of the star-forming molecular gas it contains. With broader band spectrometers and a chopping secondary coming soon, the impact of APEX on extragalactic astrophysics will be foreseeably significant.

Rapid Dissipation of Primordial Gas from the AU Microscopii Debris Disk

The disk around AU Microscopii, an M1 star in the β Pictoris moving group, is extraordinarily well suited for comparison with the β Pic debris disk (type A5 V). We use far-UV absorption spectroscopy of AU Mic to probe its edge-on disk for small amounts of H2, the primary constituent of gas giant planets. Our conservative upper limit on the line-of-sight H2 column density is 1.7 × 1019 cm-2, which is 18.5 times lower than the limit obtained recently from nondetection of submillimeter CO emission by Liu et al. In addition, there is a hint of H2 absorption at a column density an order of magnitude or more below our upper limit. The H2-to-dust ratio in the AU Mic disk is less than 6 : 1, similar to that in the β Pic disk. This shows that the primordial gas has largely been dissipated in less than about 12 Myr for both disks, despite their very different stellar masses and luminosities. It is extremely difficult to form a giant planet around AU Mic with current core accretion scenarios in such a short time.

Large‐Scale CO and [Ci] Emission in the ρ Ophiuchi Molecular Cloud

We present a comprehensive study of the ρ Ophiuchi molecular cloud that addresses aspects of the physical structure and condition of the molecular cloud and its photodissociation region (PDR) by combining far-infrared and submillimeter-wave observations with a wide range of angular scale and resolution. We present 1600 arcmin2 maps (2.3 pc2) with 0.1 pc resolution in submillimeter CO (4 → 3) and [C I] (3P1 → 3P0) line emission from the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO) and pointed observations in the CO (7 → 6) and [C I] ( 3P2 → 3P1) lines. Within the large-scale maps, smaller spectral line maps of 3000 AU resolution over ~90 arcmin2 (0.2 pc2) of the cloud in CO, CS, HCO+, and their rare isotopomers are made at the Heinrich Hertz Telescope (HHT) in Arizona. Comparison of CO, HCO+, and [C I] maps with far-infrared observations of atomic and ionic species from the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) far-infrared and submillimeter continuum emission and near-infrared H2 emission allows clearer determination of the physical and chemical structure of the ρ Oph PDR, since each species probes a different physical region of the cloud structure. Although a homogeneous plane-parallel PDR model can reproduce many of the observations described here, the excitation conditions needed to produce the observed HCO+ and [O I] emission imply inhomogeneous structure. Strong chemical gradients are observed in HCO+ and CS; the former is ascribed to a local enhancement in the H2 ionization rate, and the latter is principally due to shocks. Under the assumption of a simple two-component gas model for the cloud, we find that [C II] and [C I] emission predominantly arises from the lower density envelopes (103-104 cm-3) that surround denser cloud condensations, or clumps. The distribution of [C I] is very similar to that of C18O and is generally consistent with illumination from the far side of the cloud. A notable exception is found at the western edge of the cloud, where UV photons create a PDR viewed edge-on. The abundance of atomic carbon is accurately modeled using a radiation field that decreases with increasing projected distance from the exciting star HD 147889 and a total gas column density that follows that of C18O, decreasing toward the edges of the cloud. In contrast to the conclusions of other studies, we find that no nonequilibrium chemistry is needed to enhance the [C I] abundance. Each spectral line is traced to a particular physical component of the cloud and PDR. Although CO rotational line emission originates from both dense condensations and diffuse envelopes, the millimeter-wave transitions mostly find their origins in envelope material, whereas the high-J submillimeter lines stem more from the dense clumps. Submillimeter HCO+ and infrared [O I] and [C II] emission indicate clump surface temperatures of 50-200 K, an ultraviolet radiation field with IUV ≈ 10-90, densities of 105-106 cm-3, and interior temperatures of ≤20 K. This study highlights the value of large-scale infrared and submillimeter mapping for the interpretation of molecular cloud physical and chemical structure, and important future observations are highlighted.

Gas temperatures in Vega-type stars

Further observations of the submillimetre CO lines in 3 Vega-type stars are reported and interpreted for the gas temperatures they imply. Very low gas temperatures (∽15K) are deduced for all three stars, consolidating the suggestion that, if the gas and dust are remnants of the molecular cloud from which the star system formed, then much of the CO in these systems may be locked up in ices on the surfaces of dust grains.

Numerical simulations of highly collimated protostellar outflows

We present three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of jets as a model for protostellar outflows. We investigate molecular jets which are initially heavier, equal or lighter than a uniform ambient molecular medium, as well as a ballistic atomic jet, with the aim of distinguishing the resulting structures and relating them to various proposed protostellar evolutionary stages. We modify the ZEUS numerical code, to include time-dependent molecular hydrogen chemistry, a limited equilibrium C and O chemistry, and a detailed cooling function. We find highly focussed and accelerated flow patterns for outflows driven by molecular jets, caused by the combined strong cooling, small imposed jet shear and precession. We also find shoulders in the interface with associated shocks visible in our simulated near-infrared H2 images. The shoulder location relative to the front of the bow shock distinguishes the relative density. Apart from this, the outflow structures are quite similar provided the jet is molecular. The ratio of jet power to H2 1-0 S(1) line luminosity (increasingly required to interpret observations), is generally in the range 80-600. Sub-millimetre CO properties, including a velocity-position and velocity-channel diagram; are presented. We compare mass-velocity relationships derived directly and via the simulated CO data: significant systematic differences are uncovered. For the future, we identify fine-scale structure in the rotational CO 2-1 and CO 14-13 rotational lines which can be resolved with the millimetre array ALMA and the Herschel (FIRST) Observatory. We identify highly collimated outflows in the near-infrared that can be interpreted by this model.

A study of λ Bootis type stars in the wavelength region beyond 7000 Å

The group of Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type, Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular the Fe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. One of the theories to explain the abundance pattern of these stars involves circumstellar or interstellar matter around the objects. Hence, we have compiled all available data from the literature of well established members of the Bootis group redward of 7000 A in order to find evidence for matter around these objects. Furthermore, we present unpublished ISO as well as submillimeter continuum and CO (2-1) line measurements to complete the data set. In total, measurements for 34 (26 with data redward of 20m) well established Bootis stars are available. There is evidence for an infrared excesses in six stars (HD 31295, HD 74873, HD 110411, HD 125162, HD 198160/1 and HD 210111) and two are doubtful cases (HD 11413 and HD 192640) resulting in a percentage of 23% (excluding the two doubtful cases). Dust models for these objects show fractional dust luminosities comparable to the Vega-type stars and slightly higher dust temperatures. ISO-SWS spectroscopy for HD 125162 and HD 192640 resulted in the detection of pure stellar Hi lines ruling out an active accretion disk (as found for several Herbig Ae/Be stars) around these objects. The submillimeter measurements gave only upper limits for the line and continuum fluxes.

Submillimeter C and CO Lines in Galaxies

Together with C+ and CO, C is an important reservoir of carbon in the interstellar medium. We present recent results on the ground state transition of atomic carbon at 492 GHz, and on submillimeter CO lines in nearby galaxies. We show that atomic carbon is a good tracer of molecular gas in spiral galaxy disks. It has also a contribution to the molecular gas cooling: the cooling due to C and CO are of the same order of magnitude, and amounts typically to 4 × 10−5 of the FIR continuum. C and CO cooling becomes significant in ULIRG galaxies like Arp220. It is possible to use CI measurements to diagnose the physical conditions in galaxies. Together with CII/CI, the emissivity ratio CI/FIR can be used as a measure of the non-ionizing UV radiation field in galaxies.

Submillimeter CO Line Emission from Orion

Images of an 8 square minute region around the Orion KL source have been made in the J=7-6 (806 GHz) and J=4-3 (461 GHz) lines of CO with angular resolutions of 13 and 18. These data were taken employing on-the-fly mapping and position switching techniques. Our J=7-6 data set is the largest image of Orion with the highest sensitivity and resolution obtained so far in this line. Most of the extended emission arises from a Photon Dominated Region (PDR), but 8% is associated with the Orion ridge. For the prominent Orion KL outflow, we produced ratios of the integrated intensities of our J=7-6 and 4-3 data to the J=2-1 line of CO. Large Velocity Gradient (LVG) models fit the outflow ratios better than PDR models. The LVG models give H_2 densities of ~10^5 per ccm. The CO outflow is probably heated by shocks. In the Orion S outflow, the CO line intensities are lower than for Orion KL. The 4-3/2-1 line ratio is 1.3 for the blue shifted wing and 0.8 for the red shifted wing. Emission in the jet feature extending 2' to the SW of Orion S was detected in the J=4-3 but not the J=7-6 line; the average 4-3/2-1 line ratio is ~1. The line ratios in the Orion S outflow and jet features are consistent with both PDR and LVG models. Comparisons of the intensities of the J=7-6 and J=4-3 lines from the Orion Bar with PDR models show that the ratios exceed predictions by a factor of 2. Either clumping or additional heating by mechanisms such as shocks, may be the cause of this discrepancy.

Submillimeter CO Emission from Shock-heated Gas in the L1157 Outflow

We present the CO J=6-5, 4-3, and 3-2 spectra from the blueshifted gas of the outflow driven by the low-mass class 0 protostar in the L1157 dark cloud. Strong submillimeter CO emission lines with T_mb > 30 K have been detected at 63 (~0.13 pc) south from the protostar. It is remarkable that the blue wings in the submillimeter lines are stronger by a factor of 3-4 than that of the CO J=1-0 emission line. The CO line ratios suggest that the blueshifted lobe of this outflow consists of moderately dense gas of n(H_2) = (1-3)x10^4 cm^-3 heated to T_kin = 50-170 K.It is also suggested that the kinetic temperature of the outflowing gas increases from ~80 K near the protostar to ~170 K at the shocked region in the lobe center, toward which the largest velocity dispersion of the CO emission is observed. A remarkable correlation between the kinetic temperature and velocity dispersion of the CO emission along the lobe provides us with direct evidence that the molecular gas at the head of the jet-driven bow shock is indeed heated kinematically. The lower temperature of ~80 K measured at the other shocked region near the end of the lobe is explained if this shock is in a later evolutionary stage, in which the gas has been cooled mainly through radiation of the CO rotational lines.

Submillimeter CI and CO Lines in Galaxies

Together with C+ and CO, C is an important reservoir of carbon in the interstellar medium. We present recent results on the ground state transition of atomic carbon at 492 GHz, and on submillimeter CO lines in nearby galaxies. We show that atomic carbon is a good tracer of molecular gas in spiral galaxy disks. It has also a contribution to the molecular gas cooling: the cooling due to C and CO are of the same order of magnitude, and amounts typically to 4× 10-5 of the FIR continuum. C and CO cooling becomes significant in ULIRG galaxies like Arp220.It is possible to use CI measurements to diagnose the physical conditions in galaxies. Together with CII/CI, the emissivity ratio CI/FIR can be used as a measure of the non-ionizing UV radiation field in galaxies.

Dual Fabry–Perot filter for measurement of CO rotational spectra: design and application to the CO spectrum of Venus

We present the design of a harmonic resonant filter that can be used with a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) for simultaneous measurement of a series of lines in the CO rotational ladder. To enable studies of both broad CO absorptions in Venus and modestly red-shifted CO emission from external galaxies, relatively broad (approximately 10-30-GHz FWHM) transmission passbands are desirable. Because a single low-finesse Fabry-Perot (FP) etalon has insufficient interline rejection, a dual-FP etalon was considered. Such a design provides significantly better interband rejection and somewhat more flattopped transmission spikes. A prototype filter of this type, made of two thin silicon disks spaced by an air gap, has been constructed and used with our FTS at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory for simultaneous measurement of the four submillimeter CO transitions in the atmosphere of Venus that are accessible from the ground.