Inflowing gas onto a compact obscured nucleus in Arp 299A: Herschel spectroscopic studies of H2O and OH

Aims. We probe the physical conditions in the core of Arp 299A and try to put constraints to the nature of its nuclear power source. Methods. We used Herschel Space Observatory far-infrared and submillimeter observations of H2O and OH rotational lines in Arp 299A to create a multi-component model of the galaxy. In doing this, we employed a spherically symmetric radiative transfer code. Results. Nine H2O lines in absorption and eight in emission as well as four OH doublets in absorption and one in emission, are detected in Arp 299A. No lines of the 18O isotopologues, which have been seen in compact obscured nuclei of other galaxies, are detected. The absorption in the ground state OH doublet at 119 {\mu}m is found redshifted by ~175 km/s compared to other OH and H2O lines, suggesting a low excitation inflow. We find that at least two components are required in order to account for the excited molecular line spectrum. The inner component has a radius of 20-25 pc, a very high infrared surface brightness (> 3e13 Lsun/kpc^2), warm dust (Td > 90 K), and a large H2 column density (NH2 > 1e24 cm^-2). The outer component is larger (50-100 pc) with slightly cooler dust (70-90 K). In addition, a much more extended inflowing component is required to also account for the OH doublet at 119 {\mu}m. Conclusions. The Compton-thick nature of the core makes it difficult to determine the nature of the buried power source, but the high surface brightness indicates that it is either an active galactic nucleus and/or a dense nuclear starburst. The high OH/H2O ratio in the nucleus indicates that ion-neutral chemistry induced by X-rays or cosmic-rays is important. Finally we find a lower limit to the 16O/18O ratio of 400 in the nuclear region, possibly indicating that the nuclear starburst is in an early evolutionary stage, or that it is fed through a molecular inflow of, at most, solar metallicity.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Modeling the H2O submillimeter emission in extragalactic sources

Recent observational studies have shown that H2O emission at (rest) submillimeter wavelengths is ubiquitous in infrared galaxies, both in the local and in the early Universe, suggestive of far-infrared pumping of H2O by dust in warm regions. In this work, models are presented that show that (i) the highest-lying H2O lines (E_{upper}>400 K) are formed in very warm (T_{dust}>~90 K) regions and require high H2O columns (N_{H2O}>~3x10^{17} cm^{-2}), while lower lying lines can be efficiently excited with T_{dust}~45-75 K and N_{H2O}~(0.5-2)x10^{17} cm^{-2}; (ii) significant collisional excitation of the lowest lying (E_{upper}<200 K) levels, which enhances the overall L_{H2O}-L_{IR} ratios, is identified in sources where the ground-state para-H2O 1_{11}-0_{00} line is detected in emission; (iii) the H2O-to-infrared (8-1000 um) luminosity ratio is expected to decrease with increasing T_{dust} for all lines with E_{upper}<~300 K, as has recently been reported in a sample of LIRGs, but increases with T_{dust} for the highest lying H2O lines (E_{upper}>400 K); (iv) we find theoretical upper limits for L_{H2O}/L_{IR} in warm environments, owing to H2O line saturation; (v) individual models are presented for two very different prototypical galaxies, the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 and the nearest ultraluminous infrared galaxy Arp 220, showing that the excited submillimeter H2O emission is dominated by far-infrared pumping in both cases; (vi) the L_{H2O}-L_{IR} correlation previously reported in observational studies indicates depletion or exhaustion time scales, t_{dep}=Sigma_{gas}/Sigma_{SFR}, of <~12 Myr for star-forming sources where lines up to E_{upper}=300 K are detected, in agreement with the values previously found for (U)LIRGs from HCN millimeter emission...Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure

Feedback and Feeding in the Context of Galaxy Evolution with SPICA: Direct Characterisation of Molecular Outflows and Inflows

A far-infrared observatory such as the SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics, with its unprecedented spectroscopic sensitivity, would unveil the role of feedback in galaxy evolution during the last ~10 Gyr of the Universe (z = 1.5–2), through the use of far- and mid-infrared molecular and ionic fine structure lines that trace outflowing and infalling gas. Outflowing gas is identified in the far-infrared through P-Cygni line shapes and absorption blueshifted wings in molecular lines with high dipolar moments, and through emission line wings of fine-structure lines of ionised gas. We quantify the detectability of galaxy-scale massive molecular and ionised outflows as a function of redshift in AGN-dominated, starburst-dominated, and main-sequence galaxies, explore the detectability of metal-rich inflows in the local Universe, and describe the most significant synergies with other current and future observatories that will measure feedback in galaxies via complementary tracers at other wavelengths

Herschel PACS Spectroscopic Diagnostics of Local ULIRGs: Conditions and Kinematics in Mrk 231

In this first paper on the results of our Herschel PACS survey of local Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIRGs), as part of our SHINING survey of local galaxies, we present far-infrared spectroscopy of Mrk 231, the most luminous of the local ULIRGs, and a type 1 broad absorption line AGN. For the first time in a ULIRG, all observed far-infrared fine-structure lines in the PACS range were detected and all were found to be deficient relative to the far infrared luminosity by 1 - 2 orders of magnitude compared with lower luminosity galaxies. The deficits are similar to those for the mid-infrared lines, with the most deficient lines showing high ionization potentials. Aged starbursts may account for part of the deficits, but partial covering of the highest excitation AGN powered regions may explain the remaining line deficits. A massive molecular outflow, discovered in OH and 18OH, showing outflow velocities out to at least 1400 km/sec, is a unique signature of the clearing out of the molecular disk that formed by dissipative collapse during the merger. The outflow is characterized by extremely high ratios of 18O / 16O suggestive of interstellar medium processing by advanced starbursts.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomy and Astrophysics Herschel Special Issue, 5 pages, 4 figure

Extended Far-Infrared CO Emission in the Orion OMC-1 Core

We report on sensitive far-infrared observations of $^{12}$CO pure rotational transitions in the OMC-1 core of Orion. The lines were observed with the Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) in the grating mode on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), covering the 43-197 $\mu$m wavelength range. The transitions from $J_{up}=14$ up to $J_{up}=19$ have been identified across the whole OMC-1 core and lines up to $J_{up}= 43$ have been detected towards the central region, KL/IRc2. In addition, we have taken high-quality spectra in the Fabry-Perot mode of some of the CO lines. In KL/IRc2 the lines are satisfactorily accounted for by a three-temperature model describing the plateau and ridge emission. The fluxes detected in the high-$J$ transitions ($J_{up} > 34$) reveal the presence of a very hot and dense gas component ($T=1500-2500$ K; $\rm N(CO)$=2\times 10^{17}\cmmd$), probably originating from some of the embedded sources previously observed in the$\rm H_2$near-infrared lines. At all other positions in the OMC-1 core, we estimate kinetic temperatures$\geq 80$ K and as high as 150 K at some positions around IRc2, from a simple Large-Velocity Gradient model.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Detection of Acetylene toward Cepheus A East with Spitzer

The first map of interstellar acetylene (C2H2) has been obtained with the infrared spectrograph onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. A spectral line map of the $\nu_5$ vibration-rotation band at 13.7 microns carried out toward the star-forming region Cepheus A East, shows that the C2H2 emission peaks in a few localized clumps where gas-phase CO2 emission was previously detected with Spitzer. The distribution of excitation temperatures derived from fits to the C2H2 line profiles ranges from 50 to 200 K, a range consistent with that derived for gaseous CO2 suggesting that both molecules probe the same warm gas component. The C2H2 molecules are excited via radiative pumping by 13.7 microns continuum photons emanating from the HW2 protostellar region. We derive column densities ranging from a few x 10^13 to ~ 7 x 10^14 cm^-2, corresponding to C2H2 abundances of 1 x 10^-9 to 4 x 10^-8 with respect to H2. The spatial distribution of the C2H2 emission along with a roughly constant N(C2H2)/N(CO2) strongly suggest an association with shock activity, most likely the result of the sputtering of acetylene in icy grain mantles.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Lumped parameter models for building thermal modelling: an analytic approach to simplifying complex multi-layered constructions

PublishedJournal ArticleThere are many sophisticated building simulators capable of accurately modelling the thermal performance of buildings. Lumped Parameter Models (LPMs) are an alternative which, due to their shorter computational time, can be used where many runs are needed, for example when completing computer-based optimisation. In this paper, a new, more accurate, analytic method is presented for creating the parameters of a second order LPM, consisting of three resistors and two capacitors, that can be used to represent multi-layered constructions. The method to create this LPM is more intuitive than the alternatives in the literature and has been named the Dominant Layer Model. This new method does not require complex numerical operations, but is obtained using a simple analysis of the relative influence of the different layers within a construction on its overall dynamic behaviour. The method has been used to compare the dynamic response of four different typical constructions of varying thickness and materials as well as two more complex constructions as a proof of concept. When compared with a model that truthfully represents all layers in the construction, the new method is largely accurate and outperforms the only other model in the literature obtained with an analytical method. © 2013 Elsevier B.V

Nutrición del oso negro (Ursus americanus eremicus) en las serranías del Carmen, Coahuila

RESUMEN Se determinaron los componentes de la dieta del oso negro (Ursus americanus eremicus) en las serranías Maderas del Carmen, Coahuila. También se cuantificó la disponibilidad de los alimentos y su contenido de energía metabolizable. Se calcularon las necesidades energéticas de los osos y se estimó la capacidad de carga para esta especie. Se establecieron seis patrones estacionales de la dieta y se identificaron 28 componentes alimenticios, 92% de materia vegetal y 8% de materia animal. La capacidad de carga estimada para la etapa de máximos requerimientos energéticos de los osos es de 136 ha/ oso o 0.73 osos/km2. ABSTRACT The black bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) diet composition was determined in Maderas del Carmen Coahuila. The availability of the food was determined, as well as its metabolizable energy concentration. Black bear metabolizable energy requirements and carrying capacity were estimated. Six seasonal diet patterns were established. 28 food components were identified. 92% of the diet was vegetation and 8% animal matter. The estimated carrying capacity for Sierra del Carmen, Coahuila during the maximum bear energetic requirement phase is 136 ha/bear or 0.73 bears/km2

Evidence for a chemically differentiated outflow in Mrk 231

Aims: Our goal is to study the chemical composition of the outflows of active galactic nuclei and starburst galaxies. Methods: We obtained high-resolution interferometric observations of HCN and HCO$^+$ $J=1\rightarrow0$ and $J=2\rightarrow1$ of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy Mrk~231 with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. We also use previously published observations of HCN and HCO$^+$ $J=1\rightarrow0$ and $J=3\rightarrow2$, and HNC $J=1\rightarrow0$ in the same source. Results: In the line wings of the HCN, HCO$^+$, and HNC emission, we find that these three molecular species exhibit features at distinct velocities which differ between the species. The features are not consistent with emission lines of other molecular species. Through radiative transfer modelling of the HCN and HCO$^+$ outflow emission we find an average abundance ratio $X(\mathrm{HCN})/X(\mathrm{HCO}^+)\gtrsim1000$. Assuming a clumpy outflow, modelling of the HCN and HCO$^+$ emission produces strongly inconsistent outflow masses. Conclusions: Both the anti-correlated outflow features of HCN and HCO$^+$ and the different outflow masses calculated from the radiative transfer models of the HCN and HCO$^+$ emission suggest that the outflow is chemically differentiated. The separation between HCN and HCO$^+$ could be an indicator of shock fronts present in the outflow, since the HCN/HCO$^+$ ratio is expected to be elevated in shocked regions. Our result shows that studies of the chemistry in large-scale galactic outflows can be used to better understand the physical properties of these outflows and their effects on the interstellar medium (ISM) in the galaxy.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&