Dust growth in molecular cloud envelopes: a numerical approach

Variations in the grain size distribution are to be expected in the interstellar medium (ISM) due to grain growth and destruction. In this work, we present a dust collision model to be implemented inside a magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) code that takes into account grain growth and shattering of charged dust grains of a given composition (silicate or graphite). We integrate this model in the MHD code Athena, and builds on a previous implementation of the dynamics of charged dust grains in the same code. To demonstrate the performance of this coagulation model, we study the variations in the grain size distribution of a single-sized population of dust with radius 0.05 $\mu$m inside several dust filaments formed during a 2D MHD simulation. We also consider a realistic dust distribution with sizes ranging from 50 \AA~to 0.25 $\mu$m and analyze both the variations in the size distribution for graphite and silicates, as well as of the far ultraviolet extinction curve. From the obtained results, we conclude that the methodology here presented, based on the MHD evolution of the equation of motion for a charged particle, is optimal for studying the coagulation of charged dust grains in a diffuse regime such as a molecular cloud envelope. Observationally, these variations in the dust size distribution are translated into variations in the far ultraviolet extinction curve, and they are mainly caused by small graphite dust grains.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Gas phase Elemental abundances in Molecular cloudS (GEMS) VII. Sulfur elemental abundance

Gas phase Elemental abundances in molecular CloudS (GEMS) is an IRAM 30m large program aimed at determining the elemental abundances of carbon (C), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in a selected set of prototypical star-forming filaments. In particular, the elemental abundance of S remains uncertain by several orders of magnitude and its determination is one of the most challenging goals of this program. We have carried out an extensive chemical modeling of the fractional abundances of CO, HCO$^+$, HCN, HNC, CS, SO, H$_2$S, OCS, and HCS$^+$ to determine the sulfur depletion toward the 244 positions in the GEMS database. These positions sample visual extinctions from A$_V$ $\sim$ 3 mag to $>$50 mag, molecular hydrogen densities ranging from a few 10$^3$~cm$^{-3}$ to 3$\times$10$^6$~cm$^{-3}$, and T$_k$ $\sim$ 10$-$35 K. Most of the positions in Taurus and Perseus are best fitted assuming early-time chemistry, t=0.1 Myr, $\zeta_{H_2}$$\sim$ (0.5$-$1)$\times$10$^{-16}$ s$^{-1}$, and [S/H]$\sim$1.5$\times$10$^{-6}$. On the contrary, most of the positions in Orion are fitted with t=1~Myr and $\zeta_{H_2}$$\sim$ 10$^{-17}$ s$^{-1}$. Moreover, $\sim$40% of the positions in Orion are best fitted assuming the undepleted sulfur abundance, [S/H]$\sim$1.5$\times$10$^{-5}$. Our results suggest that sulfur depletion depends on the environment. While the abundances of sulfur-bearing species are consistent with undepleted sulfur in Orion, a depletion factor of $\sim$20 is required to explain those observed in Taurus and Perseus. We propose that differences in the grain charge distribution in the envelopes of the studied clouds might explain these variations. The shocks associated with past and ongoing star formation could also contribute to enhance [S/H] in Orion.Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures, Astronomy and Astrophysics, in pres

Gas phase Elemental abundances in Molecular cloudS (GEMS): VII. Sulfur elemental abundance

Context. Gas phase Elemental abundances in molecular CloudS (GEMS) is an IRAM 30-m Large Program aimed at determining the elemental abundances of carbon (C), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in a selected set of prototypical star-forming filaments. In particular, the elemental abundance of S remains uncertain by several orders of magnitude, and its determination is one of the most challenging goals of this program. Aims. This paper aims to constrain the sulfur elemental abundance in Taurus, Perseus, and Orion A based on the GEMS molecular database. The selected regions are prototypes of low-mass, intermediate-mass, and high-mass star-forming regions, respectively, providing useful templates for the study of interstellar chemistry. Methods. We have carried out an extensive chemical modeling of the fractional abundances of CO, HCO+, HCN, HNC, CS, SO, H2S, OCS, and HCS+ to determine the sulfur depletion toward the 244 positions in the GEMS database. These positions sample visual extinctions from AV ∼ 3 mag to &gt;50 mag, molecular hydrogen densities ranging from a few × 103 cm3 to 3 × 106 cm3, and Tk ∼ 10-35 K. We investigate the possible relationship between sulfur depletion and the grain charge distribution in different environments. Results. Most of the positions in Taurus and Perseus are best fitted assuming early-time chemistry, t = 0.1 Myr, ζH2 ∼ (0.51) × 1016 s1, and [S/H] ∼ 1.5 × 106. On the contrary, most of the positions in Orion are fitted with t = 1 Myr and ζH2 ∼ 1017 s1. Moreover, ∼40% of the positions in Orion are best fitted assuming the undepleted sulfur abundance, [S/H] ∼ 1.5 × 105. We find a tentative trend of sulfur depletion increasing with density. Conclusions. Our results suggest that sulfur depletion depends on the environment. While the abundances of sulfur-bearing species are consistent with undepleted sulfur in Orion, a depletion factor of ∼20 is required to explain those observed in Taurus and Perseus. We propose that differences in the grain charge distribution might explain these variations. Grains become negatively charged at a visual extinction of AV ∼ 3.5 mag in Taurus and Perseus. At this low visual extinction, the S+ abundance is high, X(S+) &gt; 106, and the electrostatic attraction between S+ and negatively charged grains could contribute to enhance sulfur depletion. In Orion, the net charge of grains remains approximately zero until higher visual extinctions (AV ∼ 5.5 mag), where the abundance of S+ is already low because of the higher densities, thus reducing sulfur accretion. The shocks associated with past and ongoing star formation could also contribute to enhance [S/H].</p

Grain growth and its chemical impact in the first hydrostatic core phase

International audienceContext. The first hydrostatic core (FHSC) phase is a brief stage in the protostellar evolution that is difficult to detect. Its chemical composition determine that of later evolutionary stages. Numerical simulations are the tool of choice to study these objects.Aims. Our goal is to characterize the chemical evolution of gas and dust during the formation of the FHSC. Moreover, we are interested in analyzing, for the first time with 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, the role of grain growth in its chemistry.Methods. We postprocessed 2 × 105 tracer particles from a RAMSES non-ideal MHD simulation using the codes NAUTILUS and SHARK to follow the chemistry and grain growth throughout the simulation.Results. Gas-phase abundances of most of the C, O, N, and S reservoirs in the hot corino at the end of the simulation match the ice-phase abundances from the prestellar phase. Interstellar complex organic molecules such as methyl formate, acetaldehyde, and formamide are formed during the warm-up process. Grain size in the hot corino (nH > 1011 cm−3) increases forty-fold during the last 30 kyr, with negligible effects on its chemical composition. At moderate densities (1010 < nH < 1011 cm−3) and cool temperatures 15 < T < 50 K, increasing grain sizes delay molecular depletion. At low densities (nH ~ 107 cm−3), grains do not grow significantly. To assess the need to perform chemo-MHD calculations, we compared our results with a two-step model that reproduces well the abundances of C and O reservoirs, but not the N and S reservoirs.Conclusions. The chemical composition of the FHSC is heavily determined by that of the parent prestellar core. Chemo-MHD computations are needed for an accurate prediction of the abundances of the main N and S elemental reservoirs. The impact of grain growth in moderately dense areas delaying depletion permits the use of abundance ratios as grain growth proxies

Gas phase Elemental abundances in Molecular cloudS (GEMS): VII. Sulfur elemental abundance

Context. Gas phase Elemental abundances in molecular CloudS (GEMS) is an IRAM 30-m Large Program aimed at determining the elemental abundances of carbon (C), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) in a selected set of prototypical star-forming filaments. In particular, the elemental abundance of S remains uncertain by several orders of magnitude, and its determination is one of the most challenging goals of this program. Aims. This paper aims to constrain the sulfur elemental abundance in Taurus, Perseus, and Orion A based on the GEMS molecular database. The selected regions are prototypes of low-mass, intermediate-mass, and high-mass star-forming regions, respectively, providing useful templates for the study of interstellar chemistry. Methods. We have carried out an extensive chemical modeling of the fractional abundances of CO, HCO+, HCN, HNC, CS, SO, H2S, OCS, and HCS+ to determine the sulfur depletion toward the 244 positions in the GEMS database. These positions sample visual extinctions from AV ∼ 3 mag to &gt;50 mag, molecular hydrogen densities ranging from a few × 103 cm3 to 3 × 106 cm3, and Tk ∼ 10-35 K. We investigate the possible relationship between sulfur depletion and the grain charge distribution in different environments. Results. Most of the positions in Taurus and Perseus are best fitted assuming early-time chemistry, t = 0.1 Myr, ζH2 ∼ (0.51) × 1016 s1, and [S/H] ∼ 1.5 × 106. On the contrary, most of the positions in Orion are fitted with t = 1 Myr and ζH2 ∼ 1017 s1. Moreover, ∼40% of the positions in Orion are best fitted assuming the undepleted sulfur abundance, [S/H] ∼ 1.5 × 105. We find a tentative trend of sulfur depletion increasing with density. Conclusions. Our results suggest that sulfur depletion depends on the environment. While the abundances of sulfur-bearing species are consistent with undepleted sulfur in Orion, a depletion factor of ∼20 is required to explain those observed in Taurus and Perseus. We propose that differences in the grain charge distribution might explain these variations. Grains become negatively charged at a visual extinction of AV ∼ 3.5 mag in Taurus and Perseus. At this low visual extinction, the S+ abundance is high, X(S+) &gt; 106, and the electrostatic attraction between S+ and negatively charged grains could contribute to enhance sulfur depletion. In Orion, the net charge of grains remains approximately zero until higher visual extinctions (AV ∼ 5.5 mag), where the abundance of S+ is already low because of the higher densities, thus reducing sulfur accretion. The shocks associated with past and ongoing star formation could also contribute to enhance [S/H].Astrodynamics & Space Mission