MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Reversal of infall in SgrB2(M) revealed by Herschel/HIFI observations of HCN lines at THz frequencies


    Rolffs, R., Schilke, P., Comito, C., Bergin, E.A., van der Tak, F.F.S., Lis, D.C., Qin, S.-L., Menten, K.M., Gusten, R., Bell, T.A., Blake, G.A., Caux, E., Ceccarelli, C., Cernicharo, J., Crockett, N.R., Daniel, F., Dubernet, M.-L., Emprechtinger, M., Encrenaz, P., Gerin, M., Giesen, T.F., Goicoechea, J.R., Goldsmith, P.F., Gupta, H., Herbst, E., Joblin, C., Johnstone, D., Langer, W.D., Latter, W.D., Lord, S.D., Maret, S., Martin, P.G., Melnick, G.J., Morris, P., Muller, H.S.P., Murphy, J.Anthony, Ossenkopf, V., Pearson, J.C., Perault, M., Phillips , T.G., Plume, R., Schlemmer, S., Stutzki, J., Trappe, Neil, Vastel, C., Wang, S., Yorke, H.W., Yu, S., Zmuidzinas, J., Diez-Gonzalez, C., Bachiller, R., Martin-Pintado, J., Baechtold, W., Olberg, M., Nordh, L.H., Gill, J.J. and Chattopadhyay, G. (2010) Reversal of infall in SgrB2(M) revealed by Herschel/HIFI observations of HCN lines at THz frequencies. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 521 (L46). pp. 1-5. ISSN 0004-6361

    [thumbnail of AM_Reversal_Infall.pdf] PDF
    AM_Reversal_Infall.pdf

    Download (614kB)

    Abstract

    Aims. To investigate the accretion and feedback processes in massive star formation, we analyze the shapes of emission lines from hot molecular cores, whose asymmetries trace infall and expansion motions. Methods. The high-mass star forming region SgrB2(M) was observed with Herschel/HIFI (HEXOS key project) in various lines of HCN and its isotopologues, complemented by APEX data. The observations are compared to spherically symmetric, centrally heated models with density power-law gradient and different velocity fields (infall or infall+expansion), using the radiative transfer code RATRAN. Results. The HCN line profiles are asymmetric, with the emission peak shifting from blue to red with increasing J and decreasing line opacity (HCN to H13CN). This is most evident in the HCN 12–11 line at 1062 GHz. These line shapes are reproduced by a model whose velocity field changes from infall in the outer part to expansion in the inner part. Conclusions. The qualitative reproduction of the HCN lines suggests that infall dominates in the colder, outer regions, but expansion dominates in the warmer, inner regions. We are thus witnessing the onset of feedback in massive star formation, starting to reverse the infall and finally disrupting the whole molecular cloud. To obtain our result, the THz lines uniquely covered by HIFI were critically important.
    Item Type: Article
    Additional Information: © ESO 2010 The original publication is available at DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201015106
    Keywords: stars; formation; ISM; kinematics and dynamics; structure; molecules; individual objects; SgrB2(M); submillimeter; Herschel;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Experimental Physics
    Item ID: 4031
    Depositing User: Dr. Anthony Murphy
    Date Deposited: 11 Dec 2012 16:25
    Journal or Publication Title: Astronomy & Astrophysics
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/4031
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads