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At least 19 records

Three millimeter molecular line observations in Sagittarius B2. 1: Full synthesis mapping study of HNO, CCS, and HC(13)CCN

We present the first full synthesis maps of the small molecules HNO, CCS, and HC(13)CCN in Sgr B2. We have observed the 3.8 mm continuum, the HNO J(sub K(sub -1)K(sub 1)) = 1(sub O1)-0(sub OO), the CCS J(sub N) = 7(sub 6)-6(sub 5), and the HC(13)CCN J = 9-8 transitions in the core of the Sgr B2 molecular cloud, using the Berkeley Illinois Maryland Association (BIMA) millimeter array and the NRAO 12 m telescope. We have found that HNO exists in five major gas clumps in the Sgr B2 region, which we have labeled HNO(N), HNO(NW), HNO(E), HNO(M), and HNO(S). Of particular interest is HNO(M), a major molecular gas concentration approximately 15 sec west of Sgr B2(M) in a region of young star formation. HNO is found to be closely associated with the ionized gas and might be depleted around bright H II complexes. In general, the peak intensity of the HNO emission is found to be offset from the peak of the continuum emission. We found evidence for some chemical differentiation among the three species, HNO, CCS, and HC(13)CCN, but the abundance ratios are in fair agreement with theoretical models. Two unidentified lines, U81420 and U81518, were observed, and a previously unknown compact dust source was detected. Our HNO data indicate the presence of a rotating approximately (2.2-4.4) x 10(exp 3)solar mass gas envelope surrounding Sgr B2(N), a possible bipolar gas outflow in HNO(M), and possibly a large (approximately 4.2 x 10(exp 4)solar mass) extended rotating disk associated with HNO(S). In addition, the CCS and HC(13)CCN data approximately outline the extended component of Sgr B2 and clearly show that the southern continuum source Sgr B2(S) is actually a major molecular source as well. Consequently, the kinematics of the Sgr B2 molecular cloud is quite complex, but in moving from the northwest to south, the LSR velocity generally changes from 79 to 46 km/s.

Kuan, Yi-Jehng

Synthesis maps of ultraviolet observations of neutral interstellar gas

Copernicus and IUE measurements of neutral hydrogen column densities have been taken for about 140 stars distributed between 10 and 3000 pc from the sun and plotted in several maps to directly yield estimates of contours of neutral hydrogen column density in the 5-500 x 10 to the 17th/sq cm range. These maps show that low column density neutral hydrogen is asymmetrically distributed around the sun with a 'hole' in the neutral hydrogen located in the third quadrant. This distribution mirrors that of nearby B stars associated with the Gould belt. The maps clearly show the directions in which observations at wavelengths less than 912 A will be most successful.

Frisch, P. C.

An aperture synthesis map of HCN emission close to W3 IRS 4

W3 has been observed in the J = 1-0 transition of HCN with the millimeter-wave interferometer at the Hat Creek Observatory with a resolution of 11.5 by 11.1 arcsec. The HCN emission is detected in an isolated cloud with a diameter of 40 arcsec. The cloud is located to the south of IRS 4 and the compact H II region C and coincides with the western far-IR cloud mapped at 400 microns by Jaffe (1983). The total mass of the cloud is estimated to be in the range 250-2500 solar masses. No HCN emission was detected around IRS 5, the location of the other 400 micron peak. Also, no evidence for a new (heretofore undetected at other wavelengths), young main-sequence star earlier than B0 was found in the new continuum map at 3 mm.

Wright, M. C. H.

Aperture synthesis mapping of molecular gas in high-luminosity IRAS galaxies

The Owens Valley millimeter-wave interferometer has been used for high-resolution mapping of the 2.6 mm CO emission from the high-luminosity infrared galaxies NGC 520 (Arp 157), NGC 7469 (Arp 298), and Arp 55. Assuming the same empirical relationship between CO brightness and molecular hydrogen surface mass density as has been found for giant molecular clouds in the Milky Way, it is found that the masses of H2 gas in these concentrations are 10 to the 9th - 10 to the 10th solar masses, typically one-third of the total molecular gas content of these galaxies. The interferometric sizes correspond to radii of 0.8 kpc (NGC 520), 1.4 kpc (NGC 7469), and less than 2.8 kpc (Arp 55). For the same regions the dynamical masses estimated from the CO line width and size of the emission region are only a factor of 3-5 higher. The mean molecular gas surface densities averaged over these regions are in the range 610-825 solar masses/sq pc, a factor of 10 brighter than those obtained for corresponding regions in the nucleus of the Milky Way. The high mass fractions obtained for the interstellar medium in the central regions of these three galaxies strongly suggest that large-scale gravitational instability in the gas may play an important role in the further concentration of the gas in the nucleus and in possibly precipitating a large-scale burst of star formation.

Sanders, D. B.

Synthesis mapping of a solar type I storm simultaneously at 90 and 20 centimeters with the VLA

A type I radio storm was observed simultaneously at 20 and 90 cm in November 1986. The characteristic signatures of the storm are detected at 90 cm only. The results indicate that the noise storm is unambiguously associated with an active region at the sun center, and that the distribution of energetic electrons responsible for the storm emission reaches low coronal heights. Polarization measurements and storm source location results suggest that the 90-cm emission is fundamental plasma radiation and that the 20-cm measurements are characteristic of free-free emission.

Habbal, Shadia Rifai

The rotating molecular core in G10.6 - 0.4: Synthesis maps in (12)C(18)O

Using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory millimeter-wave interferometer, the compact molecular cloud core surrounding the H II region G10.60-0.4 has been resolved in the C(18)O J = 1-0 transition. Since this line is most likely optically thin, it is an excellent tracer of the total column density. We find a centrally condensed and flattened (12.6 sec x 4.2 sec ; 0.3 pc x 0.1 pc) core, which is rotating rapidly with a substantial velocity gradient (17 +/- 2 km/s pc) along the major axis. The core is quite bright (greater than 10K), dense (greater than (10(exp 6)/cu cm), massive (10(exp 3) solar mass), and embedded in a more extended (greater than 60 seconds) envelope. There is no evidence for absorption, implying that the C(18)O emitting gas is both optically thin and substantially hotter than the equivalent continuum temperature at 3 mm. The systemic velocity of the rotating core is -2.5 +/- 0.5 km/s, the same as the systemic velocity of the extended cloud.

Ho, Paul T. P.

Time variability and structure of quiet sun sources at 6 cm wavelength

Results are presented of a detailed study of quiet sun emitting regions at 6 cm and their correspondence with regions observed at optical wavelengths. The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope was used to obtain a 12-hr synthesis map of a quiet sun region with a resolution of 6 arcsec. Comparison of this map with a Ca(+) K filtergram indicates the features on the 6-cm map to correspond to Ca(+) K chromospheric networks and cells. In addition, about 72% of the magnetic field enhancements observed on photospheric magnetograms coincides with 6-cm emissive regions. Intercomparison of the 12-hr synthesis map, a 4-hr synthesis map and 6-cm fan beam scans along with the Ca(+) K and magnetogram results reveals all of the time-varying 6-cm elements to be located on Ca(+) K networks, and about 40% of them to be coincident with magnetogram enhancements. Lifetimes of the time-varying sources vary from a few minutes to several tens of minutes, and intensity varies by factors of 2 to 7.

Erskine, F. T.

UGC galaxies stronger than 25 mJy at 4.85 GHz

UGC galaxies in the declination band +5 to +75 deg were identified by position coincidence with radio sources stronger than 25 mJy on the Green Bank 4.85 GHz sky maps. Candidate identifications were confirmed or rejected with the aid of published aperture-synthesis maps and new 4.86 GHz VLA maps having 15 or 18 arcsec resolution, resulting in a sample of 347 nearby radio galaxies plus five new quasar-galaxy pairs. The radio energy sources in UGC galaxies were classified as 'starbursts' or 'monsters' on the basis of their infrared-radio flux ratios, infrared spectral indices, and radio morphologies. The rms scatter in the logarithmic infrared-radio ratio q is not more than 0.16 for starburst galaxies selected at 4.85 GHz. Radio spectral indices were obtained for nearly all of the UGC galaxies, and S0 galaxies account for a disproportionate share of the compact flat-spectrum (alpha less than 0.5) radio sources. The extended radio jets and lobes produced by monsters are preferentially, but not exclusively, aligned within about 30 deg of the optical minor axes of their host galaxies. The tendency toward minor-axis ejection appears to be independent of radio-source size and is strongest for elliptical galaxies.

Condon, J. J.

Chemistry in circumstellar disks - CS toward HL Tauri

High spatial and spectral resolution dust continuum and CS line-emission maps of the material immediately surrounding HL Tauri are presented. The 3.06-thermal dust map gives an upper limit to the source size of roughly 200 AU. When combined with previous millimeter continuum measurements, a beta value of 1.2 +/-0.3 is derived along with a disk mass of 0.1 solar mass, in agreement with previous disk radiative transfer models of the IR and submillimeter flux from HL Tau. The low dust emissivity index as compared to particles in the diffuse ISM is best explained by grain growth or composition evolution. The present observations of the CS and CO emission lines forming the molecular cloud surrounding HL Tauri are consistent with the 'canonical' temperatures, densities, and abundances derived in other Taurus cloud cores. In contrast, the CS emission in aperture synthesis maps at 650-AU spatial resolution is most consistent with CS/CO ratios at least 25-50 times lower in the gas immediately surrounding HL Tauri if the CS emission is optically thin. The continuum and spectral line results obtained are strong indicators of conditions thought to be similar to those in the presolar nebula some 4.5 AE ago.

Blake, Geoffrey A.

Radio structure of 3C147 determined by multi-element very long baseline interferometry

The radio structure of the quasar 3C147 has been determined from multi-baseline VLBI data at 609 MHz using both a conventional method and a technique which uses the 'closure' phase information to produce a good approximation to a synthesis map of the source. The structure is similar to the central part of M87, with a bright core and a linear 'jet' of a projected length of about 1.5 kpc which is concentrated in bright 'knots'.

Wilkinson, P. N.

An aperture synthesis study of Saturn and its rings at 3.71-cm wavelength

Aperture synthesis maps of Saturn and its ring system are presented. The maps are free from most of the assumptions about the brightness structure of Saturn that were used in a previous model-fitting analysis. Generally, the maps confirm the model-fitting results, with the exception that the brightness temperature of the planet determined by the models is greater than it needs to be in order to match the contours in the map. This discrepancy is attributed to random errors in the phase of the visibility function.

Schloerb, F. P.

VLA observations of impulsive solar flares at 4.9 GHz

A series of snapshot synthesis maps constructed as a function of time provided a complete mapping of source structure in one dimension and absolute location in two dimensions of five impulsive solar microwave bursts observed during July 15-18, 1978. It was found that all five flares were dominated by a single 12-18 arcsec source located between the H-alpha kernels, near the magnetic neutral line. Spectral data from Sagamore Hill (1.4-35 GHz) show that the spectral turnover at low frequencies results from the absorption by the ambient active region; these results, together with the observed magnetic configuration, suggest a model which could explain the evolution in source structure at 4.9 GHz in terms of magnetic reconnection which starts below the optical depth of the ambient active region equal to 1.

Marsh, K. A.

VLA observations of positions 42 6 centimeter burst peaks associated with hard X-ray burst spikes

Using the Very Large Array with a spatial resolution of 3 arcsec, two-dimensional, 10-second synthesis maps are produced of four 6-cm lambda bursts associated with multiply spiked hard X-ray bursts (20-300 keV). The positional, structural, and polarization characteristics are investigated. It is noted that three of the four burst sources are rather compact (less than approximately 10 arcsec). It is found that the positions of the individual peaks or spikes within a single burst are the same within plus or minus 2 arcsec. Interpreting these different peaks as separate electron acceleration events, the results suggest repeated acceleration of electrons within the same magnetic trap. The trap situation is found to be consistent with the bipolar nature of the burst sources except in one case.

Kundu, M. R.

Ground based solar radio observations during solar maximum mission

The Very Large Array (VLA) and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) were used for making aperture synthesis maps of solar active and flaring regions. Observations of the Flare buildup in the form of increased intensity and polarization were made. Ring structure associated with sunspots were interpreted as due to the existence of cool material above the spot. Model computations were performed to explain the total intensity and polarization structures of a continuous set of active region maps.

Kundu, M. R.

Facilities for US radioastronomy

An overview of the radio-astronomy field is given, and prospects ready for construction at NASA are presented. A very-long-baseline array consisting of ten 25 m antennas, with a limiting wavelength of 7 mm and an angular resolution at that wavelength of 2 x 10 to the 4th arcsec is discussed. Eighty percent of the phase information will be obtained by closure around the 36 independent triangles, and high quality aperture-synthesis maps will be produced at all wavelengths. The 25 m telescope will be capable of several applications including the discovery of new molecules in our galaxy (in particular, the envelope of the evolved carbon star IRC + 10216), the detection of CO to distances of perhaps 100 million light years, and the understanding of the events which occur as stars are formed from molecular clouds, and as energy is fed back into the molecular gas by new stars. The submillimeter-wave telescope contains the last atmospheric radio windows where astronomical observations can be made from the earth's surface. The need for funding is stressed.

Thaddeus, P.

Symposium on the Orion Nebula to Honor Henry Draper, New York University, New York, NY, December 4, 5, 1981, Proceedings

The present conference on astronomical studies of the Orion Nebula covers molecular clouds in Orion, the use of the nebula's cloak as a model for gas super-shells around OB associations, optical and UV data concerning the nebula's physical conditions, the presence of atomic carbon in Orion, large scale distribution of far-IR and sub-mm line emission, star formation studies in the IR, gas dynamics in the circumstellar nebula of the Becklin-Neugebauer source, maser sources and far-IR CO line emission in Orion-KL, and synthesis maps of mm molecular lines. Also discussed are Orion's star distributions, core region nebular condensations, energetic molecular flows in star-forming cloud cores, IR observations of HH objects, compact continuum radio sources, the SiO maser, shock waves, and the chemical evolution of OB associations.

Glassgold, A. E.

High spatial resolution observations of NGC 7027 with a 10 micron array camera

First observations of a planetary nebula with an infrared charge injection device (CID) array camera are reported. The 10 micron images of NGC 7027 have spatial resolution comparable to that of the highest resolution (less than 2 arcsec) radio aperture-synthesis maps of this source. A much closer correspondence between the mid-infrared and radio appearance of NGC 7027 was found than was known previously, confirming that warm dust is coextensive and well mixed with the gas in the ionized zone. Using maps at three wavelengths, the spatial dependence of the shape of the 8-13 micron spectrum within the nebula is examined. The dip at 9.60 microns is shallowest in regions of enhanced optical extinction (as determined from new images near 4000 and 9000 A obtained with an optical charge coupled device). The 9.60 micron emission is strongest in these same positions. It is shown that the results may be explained not by silicate absorption, but by a combination of emission from two distinct grain populations, one of which is also partly responsible for the variation in extinction across the nebula.

Arens, J. F.

VLA observations of solar active regions at closely spaced frequencies - Evidence for thermal cyclotron line emission

VLA observations of a solar active region at 10 closely spaced frequencies between 1440 and 1720 MHz are presented. The synthesis maps show, on two successive days, significant changes in the brightness temperature within this narrow frequency range. It is shown that these changes cannot be due to either thermal bremsstrahlung or gyroresonance emission from a coronal loop in wich the temperature, density, or magnetic field varies monotonically with height. Instead, the brightness spectrum is attributed to cyclotron line emission from a narrow layer, where the temperature is elevated above the surrounding part of the loop.

Willson, R. F.