We present a spectral line survey of the proto-planetary nebula AFGL 2688 in the frequency ranges of 71-111 GHz, 157-160 GHz, and 218-267 GHz using the Arizona Radio Observatory 12m telescope and the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope. A total of 143 individual spectral features associated with 32 different molecular species and isotopologues were identified. The molecules C3H, CH3CN, H2CO, H2CS, and HCO+ were detected for the first time in this object. By comparing the integrated line strengths of different transitions, we are able to determine the rotation temperatures, column densities, and fractional abundances of the detected molecules. The C, O, and N isotopic ratios in AFGL 2688 are compared with those in IRC+10216 and the Sun, and were found to be consistent with stellar nucleosynthesis theory. Through comparisons of molecular line strengths in asymptotic giant branch stars, proto-planetary nebulae, and planetary nebulae, we discuss the evolution in circumstellar chemistry in the late stages of evolution.
We present a detailed comparative study of the arcs and fragmented ring-like features in the haloes of the planetary nebulae (PNe) NGC 6543, NGC 7009, and NGC 7027 and the spiral pattern around the carbon star AFGL 3068 using high-quality multi-epoch HST images. This comparison allows us to investigate the connection and possible evolution between the regular patterns surrounding AGB stars and the irregular concentric patterns around PNe. The radial proper motion of these features, ~15 km/s, are found to be consistent with the AGB wind and their linear sizes and inter-lapse times (500-1900 yr)…
The chemical composition of high-mass protostars reflects the physical evolution associated with different stages of star formation. In this study, the molecular inventory of the forming high-mass star AFGL 4176 is studied in detail at high angular resolution (~0.35 arcsec) using ALMA. This high resolution makes it possible to separate the emission associated with the inner hot envelope and disk around the forming star from that of its cool outer envelope. In addition, the high sensitivity of ALMA makes it possible to identify weak and optically thin lines and allows for many isotopologues to …
Characterizing the Post-Red Supergiant binary system AFGL 4106 and its complex nebula with SPHERE/VLT
Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange（蔚蓝海岸大学、蔚蓝海岸天文台、法国国家科学研究中心、拉格朗日实验室）；Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago de Chile（圣地亚哥德智利大学物理系）；Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Astrophysics and Space Exploration (CIRAS), USACH（天体物理学与太空探索跨学科研究中心（CIRAS））；Royal Observatory of Belgium（比利时皇家天文台）；School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leeds（利兹大学物理与天文学学院）
We have studied the dust density, temperature and velocity distributions of the archetypal massive young stellar object (MYSO) AFGL 2591. Given its high luminosity ($L=2 \times 10^5$ L$_\odot$) and distance ($d=3.3$ kpc), AFGL 2591 has one of the highest $\sqrt{L}/d$ ratio, giving better resolved dust emission than any other MYSO. As such, this paper provides a template on how to use resolved multi-wavelength data and radiative transfer to obtain a well-constrained 2-D axi-symmetric analytic rotating infall model. We show for the first time that the resolved dust continuum emission from Hersch…
We aim to reveal the gas energetics in the circumstellar environment of the prototypical high-mass protostellar object AFGL2591 using space-based far-infrared observations of linear rotor molecules. Rotational spectral line signatures of CO, HCO+, CS, HCN and HNC from a 490-1240 GHz survey with Herschel/HIFI, complemented by ground-based JCMT and IRAM 30m spectra, cover transitions with E(up)/k between 5 and ~300 K (750K for 12C16O, using selected frequency settings up to 1850 GHz). The resolved spectral line profiles are used to separate and study various kinematic components. The line profil…
Vibrationally excited molecules with sub-mm rotational transitions are potentially excellent probes of physical conditions near protostars. This study uses observations of the v=1 and v=2 ro-vibrational modes of HCN (4-3) to probe this environment. The presence or absence and relative strengths of these ro-vibrational lines probe the gas excitation mechanism and physical conditions in warm, dense material associated with protostellar disks. We present pilot observations from the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope (HHSMT) and followup observations from the Submillimeter Array (SMA). All vib…
We present a detailed observational and modeling study of the hot core VLA 3 in the high-mass star-forming region AFGL 2591, which is a target region of the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) large program CORE. Using NOEMA observations at 1.37 mm with an angular resolution of ~0."42 (1 400 au at 3.33 kpc), we derived the physical and chemical structure of the source. We modeled the observed molecular abundances with the chemical evolution code MUSCLE (MUlti Stage ChemicaL codE). Results. With the kinetic temperature tracers CH3CN and H2CO we observe a temperature distribution with a p…
The Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) onboard the Herschel Space Observatory allows the first observations of light diatomic molecules at high spectral resolution and in multiple transitions. Here, we report deep integrations using HIFI in different lines of hydrides towards the high-mass star forming region AFGL 2591. Detected are CH, CH+, NH, OH+, H2O+, while NH+ and SH+ have not been detected. All molecules except for CH and CH+ are seen in absorption with low excitation temperatures and at velocities different from the systemic velocity of the protostellar envelope. Surpris…
We present observations of the carbon-rich protoplanetary nebula (PPN) CRL 2688 made with the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique (IRAM) 30 m telescope in the 3mm and 2mm bands. In total, 196 transition lines belonging to 38 molecular species and isotopologues are detected, among which, to our best knowledge, 153 transition lines and 13 species are the first report for this object. Additionally, in order to contribute to future research, we have collected observational data on the molecular lines of CRL 2688 from the literature and compiled them into a single unified catalog. We find tha…
Interferometric molecular line observations toward the 21 μm protoplanetary nebula IRAS 06530-0213
School of Physics and Astronomy, Sun Yat-sen University（中山大学物理学院）；School of physics and astronomy, Yunnan University（云南大学物理与天文学院）；CSST Science Center for the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Greater Bay Area, Sun Yat-Sen University（中山大学粤港澳大湾区空间科学中心）
As part of our continuing study of light variability in proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe), we present the results from a long-term study of nine southern hemisphere objects. We have monitored their light variations over a nine-year interval from 2010-2018. These were supplemented by data from the ASAS-SN and ASAS-3 surveys, leading to combined light curves from 2000 to 2020. Pulsation periods were found in seven of the objects, although the three shortest must be regarded as tentative. The periods range from 24 to 73 days. When compared with the results of previous studies of the light variations…
We report the first detection of buckminsterfullerene (C60) in a proto-planetary nebula (PPN). The vibrational transitions of C60 at 7.0, 17.4, and 18.9um are detected in the Spitzer/IRS spectrum of IRAS 01005+7910. This detection suggests that fullerenes are formed shortly after the asymptotic giant branch but before the planetary nebulae stage. A comparison with the observations of C60 in other sources is made and the implication on circumstellar chemistry is discussed.
We present 2D hydrodynamical simulations of the transition of a proto-planetary nebula to a planetary nebula for central stars in binary systems that have undergone a common envelope event. After 1,000 yr of magnetically driven dynamics (proto-planetary nebula phase), a line-driven stellar wind is introduced into the computational domain and the expansion of the nebula is simulated for another 10,000 yr, including the effects of stellar photoionization. In this study we consider central stars with main sequence (final) masses of 1 (0.569) and 2.5 (0.677) \Mo, together with a 0.6 \Mo ma in sequ…
Recent infrared spectroscopic observations have shown that proto-planetary nebulae (PPNs) are sites of active synthesis of organic compounds in the late stages of stellar evolution. This paper presents a study of Spitzer/IRS spectra for a sample of carbon-rich PPNs, all except one of which show the unidentified 21 micron emission feature. The strengths of the aromatic infrared band (AIB), 21 micron, and 30 micron features are obtained by decomposition of the spectra. The observed variations in the strengths and peak wavelengths of the features support the model that the newly synthesized organ…
We explore the effects of photodissociation at the stages of post-asymptotic giant branch stars to find a mechanism able to produce multi-polar shapes. We perform two-dimensional gasdynamical simulations to model the effects of photodissociation in proto-planetary nebulae. We find that post-asymptotic giant branch stars with 7,000 K or hotter are able to photodissociate a large amount of the circumstellar gas. We compute several solutions for nebulae with low-velocity multi-lobes. We find that the early expansion of a dissociation front is crucial to understand the number of lobes in proto-pla…
The transition from Asymptotic Giant Branch star to Planetary Nebula is short-lived and mysterious. Though it lasts only a few thousand years, it is thought to be the time when the asymmetries observed in subsequent phases arise. During this epoch, the star is shrouded in thick clouds of dust and molecular gas; infrared observations are needed to reveal these objects at their most pivotal moment. I present preliminary results of a Spitzer study of targets spanning the range from post-AGB stars to Planetary Nebulae with the goal of determining the genesis of asymmetry in these objects.
We compute successfully the launching of two magnetic winds from two circumbinary disks formed after a common envelope event. The launching is produced by the increase of magnetic pressure due to the collapse of the disks. The collapse is due to internal torques produced by a weak poloidal magnetic field. The first wind can be described as a wide jet, with an average mass-loss rate of $\sim 1.3 \times 10^{-7}$ \Moy\ and a maximum radial velocity of $\sim 230$ \kms. The outflow has a half-opening angle of $\sim 20^{\circ}$. Narrow jets are also formed intermittently with velocities up to 3,000 …
We performed Herschel/HIFI observations of intermediate-excitation molecular lines in the far-infrared/submillimeter range in a sample of ten protoplanetary nebulae and young planetary nebulae. The high spectral resolution provided by HIFI yields accurate measurements of the line profiles. The observation of these high-energy transitions allows an accurate study of the excitation conditions, particularly in the warm gas, which cannot be properly studied from the low-energy lines. We have detected FIR/sub-mm lines of several molecules, in particular of 12CO, 13CO, and H2O. Emission from other s…
We present 3D hydrodynamical simulations of a jet launched from the secondary star of a binary system inside a proto-planetary nebula. The secondary star moves around the primary in a close eccentric orbit. From the gasdynamic simulations we compute synthetic [NII] 6583 emission maps. Different jet axis inclinations with respect to the orbital plane, as well as different orientations of the flow with respect to the observer are considered. For some parameter combinations, we obtain structures that show point- or mirror-symmetric morphologies depending on the orientation of the flow with respec…
The lines-of-sight to highly reddened SNe Ia show peculiar continuum polarization curves, growing toward blue wavelengths and peaking at $λ_{max} \lesssim 0.4 μm$, like no other sight line to any normal Galactic star. We examined continuum polarization measurements of a sample of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and post-AGB stars from the literature, finding that some PPNe have polarization curves similar to those observed along SNe Ia sight lines. Those polarization curves are produced by scattering on circumstellar dust. We discuss the similarity and the possibility that at least some SNe Ia m…
The increase in discovered close binary central stars of planetary nebulae is leading to a sufficiently large sample to begin to make broader conclusions about the effect of close binary stars on common envelope evolution and planetary nebula formation. Herein I review some of the recent results and conclusions specifically relating close binary central stars to nebular shaping, common envelope evolution off the red giant branch, and the total binary fraction and double degenerate fraction of central stars. Finally, I use parameters of known binary central stars to explore the relationship bet…
We present UV spectra of the protoplanetary nebula (pPN) Hen3-1475 obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Our deep, low-dispersion spectroscopy enables monochromatic imaging of Hen3-1475 in UV nebular emission lines, the first of such attempt ever made for a pPN. The high spatial resolution of STIS imaging allows an unprecedentedly sharp view of the S-shaped jet, especially the inner NW1 knot, which is resolved into four components in the MgII 2800 line emission. Through critical comparison with HST optical narrowband images, we…
We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of molecular line emission from d216-0939, one of the largest and most massive protoplanetary disks in the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC). We model the spectrally resolved HCO$^+$ (4--3), CO (3--2), and HCN (4--3) lines observed at 0\farcs5 resolution to fit the temperature and density structure of the disk. We also weakly detect and spectrally resolve the CS (7--6) line but do not model it. The abundances we derive for CO and HCO$^+$ are generally consistent with expected values from chemical modeling of protoplanetary di…
The shaping of the nebula is currently one of the outstanding unsolved problems in planetary nebula (PN) research. Several mechanisms have been proposed, most of which require a binary companion. However, direct evidence for a binary companion is lacking in most PNs. We have addressed this problem by obtaining precise radial velocities of seven bright proto-planetary nebulae (PPNs), objects in transition from the asymptotic giant branch to the PN phases of stellar evolution. These have F-G spectral types and have the advantage over PNs of having more and sharper spectral lines, leading to bett…
Observations indicate that the gaseous circumstellar disks around young stars vary significantly in size, ranging from tens to thousands of AU. Models of planet formation depend critically upon the properties of these primordial disks, yet in general it is impossible to connect an existing planetary system with an observed disk. We present a method by which we can constrain the size of our own protosolar nebula using the properties of the small body reservoirs in the solar system. In standard planet formation theory, after Jupiter and Saturn formed they scattered a significant number of remnan…
We present a SOFIA FORCAST grism spectroscopic survey to examine the mineralogy of the circumstellar dust in a sample of post-asymptotic giant branch yellow supergiants that are believed to be the precursors of planetary nebulae. Our mineralogical model of each star indicates the presence of both carbon rich and oxygen rich dust species-contrary to simple dredge-up models-with a majority of the dust in the form of amorphous carbon and graphite. The oxygen rich dust is primarily in the form of amorphous silicates. The spectra do not exhibit any prominent crystalline silicate emission features. …
We have carried out a detailed observational study of the light, color, and velocity variations of two bright, carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae, IRAS 22223+4327 and 22272+5435. The light curves are based upon our observations from 1994 to 2011, together with published data by Arkhipova and collaborators. They each display four significant periods, with primary periods for IRAS 22223+4327 and 22272+5435 being 90 and 132 days, respectively. For each of them, the ratio of secondary to primary period is 0.95, a value much different from that found in Cepheids, but which may be characteristic of…
During the last years, many observational studies have revealed that binaries play an active role in the shaping of non spherical planetary nebulae. We review the different works that lead to the direct or indirect evidence for the presence of binary companions during the Asymptotic Giant Branch, proto-Planetary Nebula and Planetary Nebula phases. We also discuss how these binaries can influence the stellar evolution and possible future directions in the field.
By tracing the distribution of cool dust in the extended envelopes of post-AGB stars and (proto)-planetary nebulae ((P)PNe) we aim to recover, or constrain, the mass loss history experienced by these stars in their recent past. The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) instrument on board the AKARI satellite was used to obtain far-infrared maps for a selected sample of post-AGB stars and (P)PNe. We derived flux densities (aperture photometry) for 13 post-AGB stars and (P)PNe at four far-infrared wavelengths (60, 90, 140, and 160 um). Radial (azimuthally averaged) profiles are used to investigate the pre…
During a synoptic survey of the North American Nebula region, the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) detected an optical outburst (dubbed PTF10nvg) associated with the previously unstudied flat or rising spectrum infrared source IRAS 20496+4354. The PTF R-band light curve reveals that PTF10nvg brightened by more than 5 mag during the current outburst, rising to a peak magnitude of R~13.5 in 2010 Sep. Follow-up observations indicate PTF10nvg has undergone a similar ~5 mag brightening in the K band, and possesses a rich emission-line spectrum, including numerous lines commonly assumed to trace mass…
H2O (22 GHz) and SiO masers (43, 86, 129 GHz) in the bipolar proto-planetary nebula OH231.8+4.2 were simultaneously monitored using the 21-m antennas of the Korean VLBI Network in 2009-2015. Both species exhibit periodic flux variations that correlate with the central star's optical light curve, with a phase delay of up to 0.15 for the maser flux variations with respect to the optical light curve. The flux densities of SiO v = 2, J = 1-0 and H2O masers decrease with time, implying that they may disappear in 10-20 years. However, there seems to have been a transient episode of intense H2O maser…
We have investigated the light variability in a sample of 22 carbon-rich post-AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), based primarily on photometric data from the OGLE survey. All are found to vary. Dominant periods are found in eight of them; these periods range from 49 to 157 days, and most of these stars have F spectral types. These eight are found to be similar to the Milky Way Galaxy (MWG) carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae (PPNs) in several ways: (a) they are in the same period range of ~38 to ~160 days, (b) they have similar spectral types, (c) t…
Modern instrumentation in radioastronomy constitutes a valuable tool for studying the Universe: ALMA has reached unprecedented sensitivities and spatial resolution, while Herschel/HIFI has opened a new window for probing molecular warm gas (~50-1000 K). On the other hand, the software SHAPE has emerged in the past few years as a standard tool for determining the morphology and velocity field of different kinds of gaseous emission nebulae via spatio-kinematical modelling. SHAPE implements radiative transfer solving, but it is only available for atomic species and not for molecules. Being aware …
We present a Spitzer/IRS low-resolution mid-infrared spectrum (5-14 micron) of the luminous transient discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC 300 in May 2008. The spectrum, obtained three months after discovery, shows that the transient is very luminous in the mid-IR. Furthermore, the spectrum shows strong, broad emission features at 8 and 12 micron that are observed in Galactic carbon-rich proto-planetary nebulae. Combining these data with published optical and near-IR photometry obtained at the same epoch, we find that the mid-IR excess traced by the Spitzer spectrum accounts for ~20% of the tot…
