Investigation of the linear polarization in infrared absorption bands

We consider the effects of the grain size, shape, structure, and chemical composition as well as the angle between the grain rotation axis and the incident ray on the full widths at half maximum (FWHM) of the polarization bands in the two deepest infrared absorption bands observed in the spectra of protostars, the water-ice band centered at 3.1 μm and the silicate band centered at 9.7 μm, using a core—mantle confocal spheroid model with various axial ratios a/b and relative volumes of the core material. We have found that the observed polarization bands with FWHM_p < 0.3 μm in the water-ice absorption band can be explained only by oblate and prolate particles with r _v ≤ 0.35 μm and the polarization bands with FWHM_p ≈ 0.3 μm can be explained only by particles with r _v ≈ 0.35 μm. Broad silicate absorption bands (FWHM ≈ 3 μm) with broad polarization bands (FWHM_p ≈ 2.7 μm) can be explained by particles with r _v ≈ 0.35 μm. Narrow silicate absorption bands (FWHM ≤ 3 μm) with any FWHM of the polarization bands can be explained by a mixture of particles of two types of olivine. Narrow polarization bands (FWHM_p ≈ 2 μm) with broad absorption bands can be explained only by very small particles, r _v ≤ 0.1 μm. We have found the relationships between the effective polarization and extinction cross sections and estimated the ranges of observed polarizabilities that can be explained by particles of given shape and orientation in each of the bands independently. Independent studies of the observational data for each of the bands are shown to give a wider choice of particle model parameters.     

The Spiral Arm Connection of Egret Unidentified Sources

Based on a LogN-LogS relation we have shown that the EGRET unidentified source (UnidS) distribution closely follows the Galactic spiral arm structure. This seems to satisfy the hypothesis that the EGRET UnidS arise due to energetic interactions with molecular clouds that reside on the spiral arms. Furthermore, the luminosity distribution of the unidentified sources features a double Gaussian distribution. We suggest that a combined distribution of OB associations, SNR and superbubbles interacting with molecular clouds within the spiral arms are the most likely counterparts of the unidentified sources.     

The structure and dynamics of M17SW

The M17SW molecular cloud core has been mapped at high resolution in the C¹⁷OJ = 3 2 transition and in 450, 600, 800, 1100 and 1300µm continuum emission, using the JCMT. The clumpy nature of the cloud core is clearly revealed and the northern condensation has been resolved into 3 main clumps, each of which lies close to an H₂O maser, suggesting that they may contain young embedded stellar objects.     

A study of the infrared emission of three H II regions S 140–142

The infrared emission of the H II region-molecular cloud complexes S 140, S 141 and S 142 is examined using the IRAS Sky Survey Atlases. The IRAF and Skyview software are used to draw the contour maps of infrared intensity, color temperature and optical depth of each source. The total infrared luminosity and dust distribution in the complexes are given. Compact clumps where star formation probably takes place are identified. The exciter star of S 141 is analyzed.     

Neutral hydrogen around the oxygen-sequence Wolf-Rayet star WR 102 and the nebula G2.4+1.4

We carried out the first 21-cm line observations of an extended region around the Wolf-Rayet star WR 102 and the associated nebula G2.4+1.4 with the RATAN-600 radio telescope. An irregular H I shell was identified. Its maximum expansion velocity reaches ～50 km s^?1, and its outer diameter (at a distance of 3 kpc) is 56 pc. The mechanical luminosity of the stellar wind required to produce the observed shell is estimated to be ～0.8×10³⁸ erg s^?1; the age of the shell is ～3.4×10⁵ yr. We compare the inferred parameters of the H I shell with the structure and kinematics of the ionized nebula and with the dust distribution in the region.     

An interpretation of the semicircular structure of the supernova remnant CTB-109

The supernova exploded at the boundary of a dense molecular cloud in a diffuse gas. The eastern half of the shock wave entered the diffuse gas and is now in the stage of adiabatic expansion, forming the observed semicircular remnant; the western half entered the dense cloud, moved at a much slower speed and is now in the pressure-driven snowplow phase, the radiation it emits is in the uv, and is completely absorbed by the interstellar gas along the line of sight.     

Synchrotron superbubble in the galaxy IC 10: The ionized gas structure,kinematics, and emission spectrum

We have investigated the structure, kinematics, and emission spectrum of the ionized gas in the synchrotron superbubble in the irregular galaxy IC 10 based on observations with the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope with the SCORPIO focal reducer in three modes: direct imaging in the [S II] λ(6717 + 6731) Å lines, long-slit spectroscopy, and spectroscopy with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. We have identified a bright (in the [S II] lines) filamentary optical shell and determined its expansion velocity, mass, and kinetic energy. The nature of the object is discussed.     

Millimetre and submillimetre observations of high-mass star forming cores

I summarize recent millimetre and submillimetre observations of cloud cores where massive star formation is currently taking place. The first systematic continuum surveys in this wavelength range obtained with single dish telescopes and high-resolution data of NGC 2024 and W51A obtained with the Plateau de Bure interferometer are presented in more detail. Also given is a discussion of observing methods and some of the difficulties involved with the observations.     

分子云浓核的密度和磁场

利用均匀磁化球模型，对OrionB云中的39个分子云浓核，从它们观测的源半径和分子线线宽，推求它们的数密度和磁场．得到平均磁场110μG，平均密度为8×104／cm3．这些计算值与观测结果一致．对于R＞0．2pc的分子云浓核，利用均匀磁化球模型推求磁场和数密度的方法是一种可行的方法．     

The density and magnetic field of the dense cores of the molecular cloud L 1630

The density and magnetic field strength of the dense cores in the Orion B molecular cloud are derived from the observed radius and FWHM line width based on the model of a uniformly magnetic sphere. We obtain the average magnetic field strength of 110μG and the average density of 8 × 10⁴/cm³ for the 39 cores, which agree closely with the observations. The method for deriving the density and magnetic field strength is applicable to the cores with R>0.2pc.     

Triplet structure of the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O spectra in S255

We analyzed the monitoring data for the maser S255 obtained in the H₂O line at λ=1.35 cm with the 22-m radio telescope at the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory in 1981–2002. The maser was most active during 1998–2002. Since 2001, the H₂O spectra have been extended and complex; their triplet structure has been disrupted. The extent of the spectra was 24 km s^?1 (from ?6 to 18 km s^?1). We calculated orbital parameters for some of the components. We estimated the mass of the central star to be (6–7)M_⊙ and the outer Keplerian-disk radius to be ～160 AU.     

Dense molecular gas in galactic nuclei

Summary The nuclear regions of many galaxies are not accessible at optical wavelengths and are devoid of HI, but contain large quantities of molecular gas and dust. With recent advances in instrumentation it is now possible to probe the kinematics and physical state of the cool dense interstellar medium, thus providing a new and important tool to investigate the circumnuclear gas in galaxies that are more active than our own. The scope of this review is to summarize results related to the subject with an emphasis on observational data. Sects. 1 and 2 present a general introduction, followed by a discussion of molecular mass estimates. In Sect. 3 correlations between nuclear and global galactic properties are discussed. Sects. 4 and 5 summarize observational results for nearby strongly interacting galaxies, properties of molecular bars and rings, and theoretical advances in modelling the data. The main part of the review (Sects. 6–8) describes the kinematics and the physical and chemical properties of the dense gas, including masers, and compares them with the nuclear region of the Galaxy. Molecular gas in distant galaxies and the evolution of active galaxies are discussed in Sect. 9. Some promising avenues for future research are outlined in Sect. 10.     

Observations and modeling of infrared and millimeter molecular lines towards GL2591

We have observed C₂H₂ and HCN rovibrational transitions near 13µm in absorption against GL2591. We also have observed rotational transitions at 0.6-3 mm of CS, HCN, H₂CO, and HCO⁺. Analysis of the rotational lines, which arise in the extended cloud around the source, shows that no single density model can explain all the data. Models with density and temperature gradients do much better; in particular models withn(r) r ^–1.5 can reproduce the observed pattern of emission line strengths. The abundances show significant depletion compared to models of gas-phase chemistry. The rovibrational data were analyzed in comparison to the absorption line analysis of CO by Mitchellet al. (1989). Our data are consistent with the C₂H₂ and HCN absorption arising in the same warm (200 K) and hot (1010 K) components seen in CO, but we see little evidence for the cold (38 K) component seen in CO. The rovibrational lines from higher states (J 21) indicate that the hot HCN deviates from LTE, leading to a density of about 3 × 10⁷ cm^–3. Comparison of the two data sets shows that the rovibrational absorption of HCN, rather than arising in the extended envelope, must come from a region with a small angular extent. A model in which early-time gas phase abundances are preserved on grain mantles and released at high temperature can explain the data.     

A good probe of molecular clouds and star-forming regions: CH3CN

Through our observations, analysis and calculations of the KL Region of Orion, we point out and illustrate the possibility and advantages of using the rotational lines of CH₃CN as a probe of molecular cloud cores and star-forming regions. We also discuss the instrumental requirements.     

Evolution of the structure of the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O supermaser outburst region in Orion KL

During the period 1979–1999, we investigated the hyperfine structure of the H₂O supermaser region located in the core of the molecular cloud OMC-1 in Orion KL. The angular resolution is 0.1 mas, which corresponds to 0.045 AU. The detected structure, which consists of a central object, an accretion disk, a bipolar outflow, and an envelope, corresponds to the initial formation stage of a low-mass star. The accretion disk is at the stage of separation into groups of concentric rings. The bipolar outflow is a neutral, highly collimated jet of accreted material that includes H₂O molecules and dust grains in the icy envelope. The injector is a bright compact source with a size <0.05 AU and a brightness temperature T_b≈10¹⁷ K. The velocity of the bipolar outflow is v≈10 km s^?1. The rotation velocity of the jet is v_rot≈1.5 km s^?1. The jet has the shape of a conical helix due to the precession of the rotation axis. Occasionally, dense blobs (comet-shaped bullets) are ejected. The envelope amplifies the radio emission from the structures in a ～0.5 km s^?1 maser window band with velocities v≈7.65 km s^?1 by more than two orders of magnitude.     

Interaction of the supernova remnant HB3 with the ambient interstellar gas

The well-known shell supernova remnant (SNR) HB3 is part of a feature-rich star-forming region together with the nebulae W3, W4, and W5. We study the HI structure around this SNR using five RATAN-600 drift curves obtained at a wavelength of 21 cm with an angular resolution of 2′ in one coordinate over the radial-velocity range ?183 to +60 km s^?1 in a wider region of the sky and with a higher sensitivity than in previous works by other authors. The spatial-kinematic distribution of HI features around the SNR clearly shows two concentric expanding shells of gas that surround the SNR and coincide with it in all three coordinates (α, δ, and V). The outer shell has a radius of 133 pc, a thickness of 24 pc, and an expansion velocity of 48 km s^?1. The mass of the gas in it is ≈2.3 × 10⁵M_⊙. For the inner shell, these parameters are 78 pc, 36 pc, 24 km s^{? 1}, and 0.9 × 10⁵M_⊙, respectively. The inner shell is immediately adjacent to the SNR. Assuming that the outer shell was produced by the stellar wind and the inner shell arose from the shock wave of the SNR proper, we estimated the age of the outer shell, ≈1.7 × 10⁶ yr, and the mechanical luminosity of the stellar wind, 1.5 × 10³⁸ erg s^?1. The inner shell has an age of ≈10⁶ yr and corresponds to a total supernova explosion energy of ≈10⁵² erg.     

High resolution spectroscopy in the far UV: Observations of the interstellar medium by IMAPS on ORFEUS-SPAS

The Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph (IMAPS) is an objectivegrating, echelle spectrograph built to observe the spectra of bright, hot stars over the spectral region 950–1150Å, below the wavelength coverage of HST. This instrument has a high wavelength resolving power, making it especially well suited for studies of interstellar absorption lines. Following a series of sounding rocket flights in the 1980's, IMAPS flew on its first Shuttle-launched orbital mission in September 1993, as a partner in the ORFEUS-SPAS program sponsored by the US and German Space Agencies, NASA and DARA.On ORFEUS-SPAS, IMAPS spent one day of orbital time observing the spectra of 10 O- and early B-type stars. In addition to outlining how IMAPS works, we document some special problems that had an influence on the data, and we explain the specific steps in data reduction that were employed to overcome them. This discussion serves as a basic source of information for people who may use archival data from this flight, as well as those who are interested in some specific properties of the data that will be presented in forthcoming research papers.IMAPS is scheduled to fly once again on ORFEUS-SPAS in late 1996. On this flight, 50% of the observing time available for IMAPS and two other spectrographs on the mission will be available to guest observers.     

刚体自转在巨分子云的聚合形成中的作用

分析在聚合形成机制下,巨分子云在刚体自转盘中的形成过程．研究结果表明,形成的巨分子云主要由其附近的分子云组成．由于速度弥散的作用,非弹性碰撞和自引力使分子云聚会在一起,以这种方式形成的巨分子云是小质量的．如果较差自转存在,这些小质量的巨分子云便有更多的机会聚合在一起形成更大质量的巨分子云．这进一步说明,较差自转在巨分子云的形成中起了很大的积极作用．     

Influence of uncertainties in the rate constants of chemical reactions on astrochemical modeling results

We analyze the influence of errors in the rate constants of gas-phase chemical reactions on the model abundances of molecules in the interstellar medium using the UMIST 95 chemical database. By randomly varying the rate constants within the limits of the errors given in UMIST 95, we have estimated the scatters in theoretical abundances for dark and diffuse molecular clouds. All of the species were divided into six groups by the scatter in their model equilibrium abundances when varying the rate constants of chemical reactions. The distribution of the species in groups depends on the physical conditions. The scatters in the abundances of simple species lie within 0.5–1 order of magnitude, but increase significantly as the number of atoms in the molecule increases. We suggest a simple method for identifying the reactions whose rate constants have the strongest effect on the abundance of a selected species. This method is based on an analysis of the correlations between the abundance of species and the reaction rate constants and allows the extent to which an improvement in the rate constant of a specific reaction reduces the uncertainty in the abundance of the species concerned to be directly estimated.     

Analysis of spatial temperature variations in regions of massive star formation

Using the 20-m Onsala Observatory telescope (Sweden), we performed observations of the CH₃C₂H(6-5) line toward several regions of massive star formation to estimate the kinetic temperature of the gas and study its variations over the sources. Intense lines were detected in five objects. For these, we estimated the kinetic temperature of the gas near the CS and N₂H⁺ molecular emission peaks by the method of population diagrams. A significant temperature difference between these peaks is noticeable only in W3 and, to a lesser degree, in DR 21. In the remaining cases, it is insignificant. This indicates that the chemical differentiation of the molecules in these regions cannot be associated with temperature variations. The kinetic temperature determined from methyl acetylene observations is usually slightly higher than the temperature estimated from ammonia observations. This is probably because the methyl acetylene emission originates in denser, i.e., deeper and hotter layers of the cloud.