240 research outputs found
A Search for Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) toward Select Astronomical Sources
Observations of 14 rotational transitions of hydroxylamine (NH2OH) using the
NRAO 12 m Telescope on Kitt Peak are reported towards IRC+10216, Orion KL,
Orion S, Sgr B2(N), Sgr B2(OH), W3IRS5, and W51M. Although recent models
suggest the presence of NH2OH in high abundance, these observations resulted in
non-detection. Upper limits are calculated to be as much as six orders of
magnitude lower than predicted by models. Possible explanations for the lower
than expected abundance are explored.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, 3 table
A Search for Hydroxylamine (NH_2OH) toward Select Astronomical Sources
Observations of 14 rotational transitions of hydroxylamine (NH_2OH) using the NRAO 12 m telescope on Kitt Peak
are reported toward IRC+10216, Orion KL, Orion S, Sgr B2(N), Sgr B2(OH), W3IRS5, and W51M. Although
recent models suggest the presence of NH_2OH in high abundance, these observations resulted in non-detection.
Upper limits are calculated to be as much as six orders of magnitude lower than those predicted by models. Possible
explanations for the lower-than-expected abundance are explored
Clues to PPN Chemical Evolution: The Unique Molecular Environment of V510 Pup
V510 Pup (IRAS 08005-2356) is a binary post-AGB system with a fast molecular
outflow that has been noted for its puzzling mixture of carbon- and oxygen-rich
features in the optical and infrared. To explore this chemical dichotomy and
relate it to the kinematics of the source, we present an ACA spectral line
survey detailing fourteen newly detected molecules in this pre-planetary
nebula. The simultaneous presence of CN/C2H/HC3N and SO/SO2 support the
previous conclusion of mixed chemistry, and their line profiles indicate that
the C- and O-rich material trace distinct velocity structures in the outflow.
This evidence suggests that V510 Pup could harbor a dense O-rich central waist
from an earlier stage of evolution, which persisted after a fast C-rich
molecular outflow formed. By studying the gas phase composition of this unique
source, we aim to reveal new insights into the interplay between dynamics and
chemistry in rapidly evolving post-AGB systems.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in the
Proceedings of IAU Symposium 384: Planetary Nebulae: a Universal Toolbox in
the Era of Precision Astrophysic
Discovery of the Interstellar Chiral Molecule Propylene Oxide (CHCHCHO)
Life on Earth relies on chiral molecules, that is, species not superimposable
on their mirror images. This manifests itself in the selection of a single
molecular handedness, or homochirality, across the biosphere. We present the
astronomical detection of a chiral molecule, propylene oxide (CHCHCHO),
in absorption toward the Galactic Center. Propylene oxide is detected in the
gas phase in a cold, extended molecular shell around the embedded, massive
protostellar clusters in the Sagittarius B2 star-forming region. This material
is representative of the earliest stage of solar system evolution in which a
chiral molecule has been found
A CSO Search for -CH: Detection in the Orion Bar PDR
The results of a Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) search for
-CH, first detected by Pety et al. (2012) in observations toward the
Horsehead photodissociation region (PDR), are presented. A total of 39 sources
were observed in the 1 mm window. Evidence of emission from -CH is
found in only a single source - the Orion Bar PDR region, which shows a
rotational temperature of 178(13) K and a column density of 7(2) x
cm. In the remaining sources, upper limits of ~10
cm are found. These results are discussed in the context of guiding
future observational searches for this species.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 4 table
Measuring molecular abundances in comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) using the APEX telescope
Comet composition provides critical information on the chemical and physical
processes that took place during the formation of the Solar system. We report
here on millimetre spectroscopic observations of the long-period bright comet
C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) using the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) band 1
receiver between 2015 January UT 16.948 to 18.120, when the comet was at
heliocentric distance of 1.30 AU and geocentric distance of 0.53 AU. Bright
comets allow for sensitive observations of gaseous volatiles that sublimate in
their coma. These observations allowed us to detect HCN, CH3OH (multiple
transitions), H2CO and CO, and to measure precise molecular production rates.
Additionally, sensitive upper limits were derived on the complex molecules
acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and formamide (NH2CHO) based on the average of the
strongest lines in the targeted spectral range to improve the signal-to-noise
ratio. Gas production rates are derived using a non-LTE molecular excitation
calculation involving collisions with H2O and radiative pumping that becomes
important in the outer coma due to solar radiation. We find a depletion of CO
in C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy) with a production rate relative to water of 2 per cent,
and relatively low abundances of Q(HCN)/Q(H2O), 0.1 per cent, and
Q(H2CO)/Q(H2O), 0.2 per cent. In contrast the CH3OH relative abundance
Q(CH3OH)/Q(H2O), 2.2 per cent, is close to the mean value observed in other
comets. The measured production rates are consistent with values derived for
this object from other facilities at similar wavelengths taking into account
the difference in the fields of view. Based on the observed mixing ratios of
organic molecules in four bright comets including C/2014 Q2, we find some
support for atom addition reactions on cold dust being the origin of some of
the molecules.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, to be published in MNRA
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