3,481 research outputs found
Determining the cosmic ray ionization rate in dynamically evolving clouds
The ionization fraction is an important factor in determining the chemical
and physical evolution of star forming regions. In the dense, dark starless
cores of such objects, the ionization rate is dominated by cosmic rays; it is
therefore possible to use simple analytic estimators, based on the relative
abundances of different molecular tracers, to determine the cosmic ray
ionization rate.
This paper uses a simple model to investigate the accuracy of two well-known
estimators in dynamically evolving molecular clouds. It is found that, although
the analytical formulae based on the abundances of H3+,H2,CO,O,H2O and HCO+
give a reasonably accurate measure of the cosmic ray ionization rate in static,
quiescent clouds, significant discrepancies occur in rapidly evolving
(collapsing) clouds. As recent evidence suggests that molecular clouds may
consist of complex, dynamically evolving sub-structure, we conclude that simple
abundance ratios do not provide reliable estimates of the cosmic ray ionization
rate in dynamically active regions.Comment: Accepted by A&A. 17 pages, 4 figure
The radio luminosity function of radio-loud quasars from the 7C Redshift Survey
We present a complete sample of 24 radio-loud quasars (RLQs) from the new 7C
Redshift Survey. Every quasar with a low-frequency (151 MHz) radio flux-density
S_151 > 0.5 Jy in two regions of the sky covering 0.013 sr is included; 23 of
these have sufficient extended flux to meet the selection criteria, 18 of these
have steep radio spectra (hereafter denoted as SSQs). The key advantage of this
sample over most samples of RLQs is the lack of an optical magnitude limit. By
combining the 7C and 3CRR samples, we have investigated the properties of RLQs
as a function of redshift z and radio luminosity L_151.
We derive the radio luminosity function (RLF) of RLQs and find that the data
are well fitted by a single power-law with slope alpha_1=1.9. We find that
there must be a break in the RLQ RLF at log_10(L_151 / W Hz^-1 sr^-1) < 27, in
order for the models to be consistent with the 7C and 6C source counts. The
z-dependence of the RLF follows a one-tailed gaussian which peaks at z=1.7. We
find no evidence for a decline in the co-moving space density of RLQs at higher
redshifts.
A positive correlation between the radio and optical luminosities of SSQs is
observed, confirming a result of Serjeant et al. (1998). We are able to rule
out this correlation being due to selection effects or biases in our combined
sample. The radio-optical correlation and best-fit model RLF enable us to
estimate the distribution of optical magnitudes of quasars in samples selected
at low radio frequencies. We conclude that for samples with S_151 < 1 Jy one
must use optical data significantly deeper than the POSS-I limit (R approx 20),
in order to avoid severe incompleteness.Comment: 28 pages with 13 figures. To appear in MNRA
Unified Models of Molecular Emission from Class 0 Protostellar Outflow Sources
Low mass star-forming regions are more complex than the simple spherically
symmetric approximation that is often assumed. We apply a more realistic
infall/outflow physical model to molecular/continuum observations of three late
Class 0 protostellar sources with the aims of (a) proving the applicability of
a single physical model for all three sources, and (b) deriving physical
parameters for the molecular gas component in each of the sources.
We have observed several molecular species in multiple rotational
transitions. The observed line profiles were modelled in the context of a
dynamical model which incorporates infall and bipolar outflows, using a three
dimensional radiative transfer code. This results in constraints on the
physical parameters and chemical abundances in each source.
Self-consistent fits to each source are obtained. We constrain the
characteristics of the molecular gas in the envelopes as well as in the
molecular outflows. We find that the molecular gas abundances in the infalling
envelope are reduced, presumably due to freeze-out, whilst the abundances in
the molecular outflows are enhanced, presumably due to dynamical activity.
Despite the fact that the line profiles show significant source-to-source
variation, which primarily derives from variations in the outflow viewing
angle, the physical parameters of the gas are found to be similar in each core.Comment: MNRAS 12 pages, 16 figure
Rotation of the pre-stellar core L1689B
The search for the onset of star formation in pre-stellar cores has focussed
on the identification of an infall signature in the molecular line profiles of
tracer species. The classic infall signature is a double peaked line profile
with an asymmetry in the strength of the peaks such that the blue peak is
stronger. L1689B is a pre-stellar core and infall candidate but new JCMT HCO+
line profile data, presented here, confirms that both blue and red asymmetric
line profiles are present in this source. Moreover, a dividing line can be
drawn between the locations where each type of profile is found. It is argued
that it is unlikely that the line profiles can be interpreted with simple
models of infall or outflow and that rotation of the inner regions is the most
likely explanation. A rotational model is developed in detail with a new 3D
molecular line transport code and it is found that the best type of model is
one in which the rotational velocity profile is in between solid body and
Keplerian. It is firstly shown that red and blue asymmetric line profiles can
be generated with a rotation model entirely in the absence of any infall
motion. The model is then quantitively compared with the JCMT data and an
iteration over a range of parameters is performed to minmize the difference
between the data and model. The results indicate that rotation can dominate the
line profile shape even before the onset of infall.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS, 7 pages, 4 figure
A study of methanol and silicon monoxide production through episodic explosions of grain mantles in the Central Molecular Zone
Methanol (CHOH) is found to be abundant and widespread towards the
Central Molecular Zone, the inner few hundred parsecs of our Galaxy. Its origin
is, however, not fully understood. It was proposed that the high cosmic ray
ionisation rate in this region could lead to a more efficient non-thermal
desorption of this species formed on grain surfaces, but it would also mean
that this species is destroyed in a relatively short timescale. In a first
step, we run chemical models with a high cosmic ray ionisation rate and find
that this scenario can only reproduce the lowest abundances of methanol derived
in this region (10-10). In a second step, we investigate
another scenario based on episodic explosions of grain mantles. We find a good
agreement between the predicted abundances of methanol and the observations. We
find that the dominant route for the formation of methanol is through
hydrogenation of CO on the grains followed by the desorption due to the grain
mantle explosion. The cyclic aspect of this model can explain the widespread
presence of methanol without requiring any additional mechanism. We also model
silicon monoxide (SiO), another species detected in several molecular clouds of
the Galactic Centre. An agreement is found with observations for a high
depletion of Si (Si/H 10) with respect to the solar abundance.Comment: Accepted in MNRA
Science with the Square Kilometer Array: Motivation, Key Science Projects, Standards and Assumptions
The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) represents the next major, and natural, step
in radio astronomical facilities, providing two orders of magnitude increase in
collecting area over existing telescopes. In a series of meetings, starting in
Groningen, the Netherlands (August 2002) and culminating in a `science retreat'
in Leiden (November 2003), the SKA International Science Advisory Committee
(ISAC), conceived of, and carried-out, a complete revision of the SKA science
case (to appear in New Astronomy Reviews). This preface includes: (i) general
introductory material, (ii) summaries of the key science programs, and (iii) a
detailed listing of standards and assumptions used in the revised science case.Comment: 6 pages, 3 tables, espcrc2.sty. to appear in Science with the square
kilometer array, New Astronomy Reviews, (Elsevier, Amsterdam), eds. C.
Carilli & S. Rawling
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