Ciriaco Goddi

Infall and outflow within 400 AU from a high-mass protostar 3D velocity fields from methanol and water masers in AFLG 5142

Observational signatures of infalling envelopes and outflowing material in early stages of protostellar evolution and at small radii from the protostar are essential to progress in the understanding of the mass-accretion process in star formation. In this Letter, we report a detailed study on the accretion and outflow structure around a protostar in the well-known high-mass star-forming region AFGL 5142. We focus on the mm source MM–1, which exhibits hot-core chemistry, radio continuum emission, and strong water (H2O) and methanol (CH3OH) masers. Remarkably, our Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of molecular masers over six years provided us with the 3D velocity field of circumstellar molecular gas with a resolution of 0.001–0.005 �� and at radii <0. �� 23 (or 400 AU) from the protostar. In particular, our measurements of CH3OH maser emission for the first time provided a direct measurement of the infall of a molecular envelope (radius of 300 AU and velocity of 5 km s −1 ) onto an intermediate- to high-mass

Outflow structure and velocity field of Orion source - I. ALMA imaging of SiO isotopologue maser and thermal emission

Using Science Verification data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), we have identified and imaged five rotational transitions (J = 5–4 and J = 6–5) of the three silicon monoxide isotopologues 28 SiO v = 0, 1, 2 and 29 SiO v = 0a nd 28 Si 18 O v = 0 in the frequency range from 214 to 246 GHz towards the Orion BN/KL region. The emission of the ground-state 28 SiO, 29 SiO and 28 Si 18 O shows an extended bipolar shape in the northeast-southwest direction at the position of Radio Source I, indicating that these isotopologues trace an outflow (∼18 km s −1 ,P A∼ 50 ◦ , ∼5000 AU in diameter) that is driven by this embedded high-mass young stellar object (YSO). Whereas on small scales (10–1000 AU) the outflow from Source I has a well-ordered spatial and velocity structure, as probed by Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) imaging of SiO masers, the large scales (500–5000 AU) probed by thermal SiO with ALMA reveal a complex structure and velocity field, most likely related to the effects of the environment of the BN/KL region on the outflow emanating from Source I. The emission of the vibrationally-excited species peaks at the position of Source I. This emission is compact and not resolved at an angular resolution of ∼1. 5( ∼600 AU at a distance of 420 pc). 2D Gaussian fitting to individual velocity channels locates emission peaks within radii of 100 AU, i.e. they trace the innermost part of the outflow. A narrow spectral profile and spatial distribution of the v = 1 J = 5–4 line similar to the masing v = 1 J = 1–0 transition, provide evidence for the most highly rotationally excited (frequency >200 GHz) SiO maser emission associated with Source I known to date. The maser emission will enable studies of the Source I disk-outflow interface with future ALMA longest baselines.

ALMA and VLA observations of recombination lines and continuum toward the Becklin-Neugebauer object in Orion

Compared to their centimeter-wavelength counterparts, millimeter recombination lines (RLs) are intrinsically brighter and are free of pressure broadening. We report observations of RLs (H30α at 231.9 GHz, H53α at 42.9 GHz) and the millimeter and centimeter continuum toward the Becklin-Neugebauer (BN) object in Orion, obtained from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) science verification archive and the Very Large Array (VLA). The RL emission appears to be arising from the slowly-moving, dense (Ne = 8.4 × 10 6 cm −3 ) base of the ionized envelope around BN. This ionized gas has a relatively low electron temperature (Te < 4900 K) and small (� 10 km s −1 ) bulk motions. Comparing our continuum measurements with previous (non)detections, it is possible that BN has large flux variations in the millimeter. However, dedicated observations with a uniform setup are needed to confirm this. From the H30α line, the central line-of-sight LSR velocity of BN is 26.3 km s −1 .

Unveiling the gas kinematics at 10 AU scales in high-mass star-forming regions

Context. High-mass stars play a prominent role in Galactic evolution, but their formation mechanism is still poorly understood. This lack of knowledge reflects the observational limitations of present instruments, whose angular resolution (at the typical distances of massive protostars) precludes probing circumstellar gas on scales of 1-100 AU, relevant for a detailed investigation of accretion structures and launch/collimation mechanims of outflows in high-mass star formation. Aims: This work presents a study of the milliarcsecond structure of the 6.7 GHz methanol masers at high-velocity resolution (0.09 km s-1) in four high-mass star-forming regions: G16.59-0.05, G23.01-0.41, IRAS 20126 + 4104, and AFGL 5142. Methods: We studied these sources by means of multi-epoch VLBI observations in the 22 GHz water and 6.7 GHz methanol masers, to determine the 3-D gas kinematics within a few thousand AU from the (proto)star. Our results demonstrate the ability of maser emission to trace kinematic structures close to the (proto)star, revealing the presence of fast wide-angle and/or collimated outflows (traced by the H2O masers), and of rotation and infall (indicated by the CH3OH masers). The present work exploits the 6.7 GHz maser data collected so far to investigate the milliarcsecond structure of this maser emission at high-velocity resolution. Results: Most of the detected 6.7 GHz maser features present an ordered (linear, or arc-like) distribution of maser spots on the plane of the sky, together with a regular variation in the spot LSR velocity (VLSR) with position. Typical values for the amplitude of the VLSR gradients (defined in terms of the derivative of the spot VLSR with position) are found to be 0.1-0.2 km s-1 mas-1. In each of the four target sources, the orientation and the amplitude of most of the feature VLSR gradients remain remarkably stable in time, on timescales of (at least) several years. We also find that the data are consistent with having the VLSR gradients and proper motion vectors in the same direction on the sky, considered the measurement uncertainties. In three (G16.59 - 0.05, G23.01 - 0.41, and IRAS 20126 + 4104) of the four sources under examination, feature gradients with the best determined (sky-projected) orientation divide into two groups directed approximately perpendicular to each other. Conclusions: The time persistency, the ordered angular and spatial distribution, and the orientation generally similar to the proper motions, altogether suggest a kinematical interpretation for the origin of the 6.7 GHz maser VLSR gradients. This work shows that the organized motions (outflow, infall, and rotation) revealed by the (22 GHz water and 6.7 GHz methanol) masers on large scales (~100-1000 AU) also persist to very small (~10 AU) scales. In this context, the present study demonstrates the potentiality of the mas-scale 6.7 GHz maser gradients as a unique tool for investigating the gas kinematics on the smallest accessible scales in proximity to massive (proto)stars.

325 GHz Water Masers in Orion Source I

Radio Source I in the Orion BN/KL region provides the closest example of high mass star formation. It powers a rich ensemble of SiO and H 2 O masers, and is one of only three star-forming regions known to display SiO maser emission. Previous monitoring of different SiO masers with the VLBA and VLA has enabled the resolution of a compact disk and a protostellar wind at radii et al ., this volume). Source I may provide the best case of disk-mediated accretion and outflow recollimation in massive star formation. Here, we report preliminary results of sub-arcsecond resolution 325 GHz H 2 O maser observations made with the SMA. We find that 325 GHz H 2 O masers trace a more collimated portion of the Source I outflow than masers at 22 GHz, but occur at similar radii suggesting similar excitation conditions. A velocity gradient perpendicular to the outflow axis, indicating rotation, supports magneto-centrifugal driving of the flow.

Unveiling the gas kinematics at 10 AU scales in high-mass star-forming regions Milliarcsecond structure of 6.7 GHz methanol masers

Context. High-mass stars play a prominent role in Galactic evolution, but their formation mechanism is still poorly understood. This lack of knowledge reflects the observational limitations of present instruments, whose angular resolution (at the typical distances of massive protostars) precludes probing circumstellar gas on scales of 1-100 AU, relevant for a detailed investigation of accretion structures and launch/collimation mechanims of outflows in high-mass star formation. Aims: This work presents a study of the milliarcsecond structure of the 6.7 GHz methanol masers at high-velocity resolution (0.09 km s-1) in four high-mass star-forming regions: G16.59-0.05, G23.01-0.41, IRAS 20126 + 4104, and AFGL 5142. Methods: We studied these sources by means of multi-epoch VLBI observations in the 22 GHz water and 6.7 GHz methanol masers, to determine the 3-D gas kinematics within a few thousand AU from the (proto)star. Our results demonstrate the ability of maser emission to trace kinematic structures close to the (proto)star, revealing the presence of fast wide-angle and/or collimated outflows (traced by the H2O masers), and of rotation and infall (indicated by the CH3OH masers). The present work exploits the 6.7 GHz maser data collected so far to investigate the milliarcsecond structure of this maser emission at high-velocity resolution. Results: Most of the detected 6.7 GHz maser features present an ordered (linear, or arc-like) distribution of maser spots on the plane of the sky, together with a regular variation in the spot LSR velocity (VLSR) with position. Typical values for the amplitude of the VLSR gradients (defined in terms of the derivative of the spot VLSR with position) are found to be 0.1-0.2 km s-1 mas-1. In each of the four target sources, the orientation and the amplitude of most of the feature VLSR gradients remain remarkably stable in time, on timescales of (at least) several years. We also find that the data are consistent with having the VLSR gradients and proper motion vectors in the same direction on the sky, considered the measurement uncertainties. In three (G16.59 - 0.05, G23.01 - 0.41, and IRAS 20126 + 4104) of the four sources under examination, feature gradients with the best determined (sky-projected) orientation divide into two groups directed approximately perpendicular to each other. Conclusions: The time persistency, the ordered angular and spatial distribution, and the orientation generally similar to the proper motions, altogether suggest a kinematical interpretation for the origin of the 6.7 GHz maser VLSR gradients. This work shows that the organized motions (outflow, infall, and rotation) revealed by the (22 GHz water and 6.7 GHz methanol) masers on large scales (~100-1000 AU) also persist to very small (~10 AU) scales. In this context, the present study demonstrates the potentiality of the mas-scale 6.7 GHz maser gradients as a unique tool for investigating the gas kinematics on the smallest accessible scales in proximity to massive (proto)stars.