Gibion Makiwa

In-flight calibration of the Herschel-SPIRE instrument

SPIRE, the Spectral and Photometric Imaging REceiver, is the Herschel Space Observatory’s submillimetre camera and spectrometer. It contains a three-band imaging photometer operating at 250, 350 and 500 μm, and an imaging Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS) covering 194−671 μm (447−1550 GHz). In this paper we describe the initial approach taken to the absolute calibration of the SPIRE instrument using a combination of the emission from the Herschel telescope itself and the modelled continuum emission from solar system objects and other astronomical targets. We present the photometric, spectroscopic and spatial accuracy that is obtainable in data processed through the “standard” pipelines. The overall photometric accuracy at this stage of the mission is estimated as 15% for the photometer and between 15 and 50% for the spectrometer. However, there remain issues with the photometric accuracy of the spectra of low flux sources in the longest wavelength part of the SPIRE spectrometer band. The spectrometer wavelength accuracy is determined to be better than 1/10th of the line FWHM. The astrometric accuracy in SPIRE maps is found to be 2 arcsec when the latest calibration data are used. The photometric calibration of the SPIRE instrument is currently determined by a combination of uncertainties in the model spectra of the astronomical standards and the data processing methods employed for map and spectrum calibration. Improvements in processing techniques and a better understanding of the instrument performance will lead to the final calibration accuracy of SPIRE being determined only by uncertainties in the models of astronomical standards.

Calibration of the Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer

The Herschel Spectral and Photometric REceiver (SPIRE) instrument consists of an imaging photometric camera and an imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), both operating over a frequency range of ∼450–1550 GHz. In this paper, we briefly review the FTS design, operation, and data reduction, and describe in detail the approach taken to relative calibration (removal of instrument signatures) and absolute calibration against standard astronomical sources. The calibration scheme assumes a spatially extended source and uses the Herschel telescope as primary calibrator. Conversion from extended to point-source calibration is carried out using observations of the planet Uranus. The model of the telescope emission is shown to be accurate to within 6 per cent and repeatable to better than 0.06 per cent and, by comparison with models of Mars and Neptune, the Uranus model is shown to be accurate to within 3 per cent. Multiple observations of a number of point-like sources show that the repeatability of the calibration is better than 1 per cent, if the effects of the satellite absolute pointing error (APE) are corrected. The satellite APE leads to a decrement in the derived flux, which can be up to ∼10 per cent (1 σ) at the high-frequency end of the SPIRE range in the first part of the mission, and ∼4 per cent after Herschel operational day 1011. The lower frequency range of the SPIRE band is unaffected by this pointing error due to the larger beam size. Overall, for well-pointed, point-like sources, the absolute flux calibration is better than 6 per cent, and for extended sources where mapping is required it is better than 7 per cent.

SPIRE spectroscopy of the prototypical Orion Bar photodissociation region

Aims: We present observations of the Orion Bar photodissociation region (PDR) obtained with the SPIRE instrument on-board Herschel. Methods: We obtained SPIRE Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS) sparse sampled maps of the Orion bar. Results: The FTS wavelength coverage and sensitivity allow us to detect a wealth of rotational lines of CO (and its isotopologues), fine structure lines of C and N+, and emission lines from radicals and molecules such as CH+, CH, H2O or H2S. For species detected from the ground, our estimates of the column densities agree with previously published values. The comparison between 12CO and 13CO maps shows particularly the effects of optical depth and excitation in the molecular cloud. The distribution of the 12CO and 13CO lines with upper energy levels indicates the presence of warm (~100-150 K) CO. This warm CO component is a significant fraction of the total molecular gas, confirming previous ground based studies. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

Evolution of interstellar dust with Herschel. First results in the photodissociation regions of NGC 7023

Context. In photodissociation regions (PDRs), the physical conditions and the excitation evolve on short spatial scales as a function of depth within the cloud, providing a unique opportunity to study how the dust and gas populations evolve with the excitation and physical conditions. The mapping of the PDRs in NGC 7023 performed during the science demonstration phase of Herschel is part of the “Evolution of interstellar dust” key program. The goal of this project is to build a coherent database on interstellar dust emission from diffuse clouds to the sites of star formation. Aims: We study the far-infrared/submillimeter emission of the PDRs and their fainter surrounding regions. We combine the Herschel and Spitzer maps to derive at each position the full emission spectrum of all dust components, which we compare to dust and radiative transfer models in order to learn about the spatial variations in both the excitation conditions and the dust properties. Methods: We adjust the emission spectra derived from PACS and SPIRE maps using modified black bodies to derive the temperature and the emissivity index β of the dust in thermal equilibrium with the radiation field. We present a first modeling of the NGC 7023-E PDR with standard dust properties and abundances. Results: At the peak positions, a value of β equal to 2 is compatible with the data. The detected spectra and the spatial structures are strongly influenced by radiative transfer effects. We are able to reproduce the spectra at the peak positions deduced from Herschel maps and emitted by dust particles at thermal equilibrium, and also the evolution of the spatial structures observed from the near infrared to the submillimeter. On the other hand, the emission of the stochastically heated smaller particles is overestimated by a factor ~2. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

Observing extended sources with the Herschel SPIRE Fourier Transform Spectrometer

The Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) on the European Space Agency’s Herschel Space Observatory utilizes a pioneering design for its imaging spectrometer in the form of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS). The standard FTS data reduction and calibration schemes are aimed at objects with either a spatial extent that is much larger than the beam size or a source that can be approximated as a point source within the beam. However, when sources are of intermediate spatial extent, neither of these calibrations schemes is appropriate and both the spatial response of the instrument and the source’s light profile must be taken into account and the coupling between them explicitly derived. To that end, we derive the necessary corrections using an observed spectrum of a fully extended source with the beam profile and considering the source’s light profile. We apply the derived correction to several observations of planets and compare the corrected spectra with their spectral models to study the beam coupling efficiency of the instrument in the case of partially extended sources. We find that we can apply these correction factors for sources with angular sizes up to θD ~ 17′′. We demonstrate how the angular size of an extended source can be estimated using the difference between the subspectra observed at the overlap bandwidth of the two frequency channels in the spectrometer, at 959 < ν < 989 GHz. Using this technique on an observation of Saturn, we estimate a size of 17.2′′, which is 3% larger than its true size on the day of observation. Finally, we show the results of the correction applied on observations of a nearby galaxy, M82, and the compact core of a Galactic molecular cloud, Sgr B2.

First detection of the methylidyne cation (CH+) fundamental rotational line with the Herschel/SPIRE FTS

Aims: To follow the species chemistry arising in diverse sources of the Galaxy with Herschel. Methods: SPIRE FTS sparse sampled maps of the Orion bar & compact HII regions G29.96-0.02 and G32.80+0.19 have been analyzed. Results: Beyond the wealth of atomic and molecular lines detected in the high-resolution spectra obtained with the FTS of SPIRE in the Orion Bar, one emission line is found to lie at the position of the fundamental rotational transition of CH+ as measured precisely in the laboratory by Pearson and Drouion. This coincidence suggests that it is the first detection of the fundamental rotational transition of CH+. This claim is strengthened by the observation of the lambda doublet transitions arising from its relative, CH, which are also observed in the same spectrum. The broad spectral coverage of the SPIRE FTS allows for the simultaneous measurement of these closely related chemically species, under the same observing conditions. The importance of these lines are discussed and a comparison with results obtained from models of the photon dominated region (PDR) of Orion are presented. The CH+ line also appears in absorption in the spectra of the two galactic compact HII regions G29.96-0.02 and G32.80+0.19, which is likely due to the presence of CH+ in the the cold neutral medium of the galactic plane. These detections will shed light on the formation processes and on the existence of CH+, which are still outstanding questions in astrophysics. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

Beam profile for the Herschel–SPIRE Fourier transform spectrometer

One of the instruments on board the Herschel Space Observatory is the Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE). SPIRE employs a Fourier transform spectrometer with feed-horn-coupled bolometers to provide imaging spectroscopy. To interpret the resultant spectral images requires knowledge of the wavelength-dependent beam, which in the case of SPIRE is complicated by the use of multimoded feed horns. In this paper we describe a series of observations and the analysis conducted to determine the wavelength dependence of the SPIRE spectrometer beam profile.

In-orbit performance of the Herschel/SPIRE imaging Fourier transform spectrometer

The Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) is one of three scientific instruments onboard the European Space Agencys Herschel Space Observatory launched on 14 May 2009. The low to medium resolution spectroscopic capability of SPIRE is provided by an imaging Fourier transform spectrometer of the Mach-Zehnder configuration. Results from the in flight performance verification phase of the SPIRE spectrometer are presented and conformance with the instrument design specifications is reviewed.

Physical properties of the Sh2-104 HII region as seen by Herschel

Context: Sh2-104 is a Galactic H ii region with a bubble morphology, detected at optical and radio wavelengths. It is considered the first observational confirmation of the collect-and-collapse model of triggered star-formation. Aims: We aim to analyze the dust and gas properties of the Sh2-104 region to better constrain its effect on local future generations of stars. In addition, we investigate the relationship between the dust emissivity index {\beta} and the dust temperature, T_dust. Methods: Using Herschel PACS and SPIRE images at 100, 160, 250, 350 and 500 {\mu}m we determine T_dust and {\beta} throughout Sh2-104, fitting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) obtained from aperture photometry. With the SPIRE Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) we obtained spectra at different positions in the Sh2-104 region. We detect J-ladders of CO and 13CO, with which we derive the gas temperature and column density. We also detect proxies of ionizing flux as the [NII] 3P1-3P0 and [CI] 3P2-3P1 transitions. Results: We find an average value of {\beta} ~ 1.5 throughout Sh2-104, as well as a T dust difference between the photodissociation region (PDR, ~ 25 K) and the interior (~ 40 K) of the bubble. We recover the anti-correlation between {\beta} and dust temperature reported numerous times in the literature. The relative isotopologue abundances of CO appear to be enhanced above the standard ISM values, but the obtained value is very preliminary and is still affected by large uncertainties.

Physical structure of the photodissociation regions in NGC 7023 - Observations of gas and dust emission with Herschel

Context. The determination of the physical conditions in molecular clouds is a key step towards our understanding of their formation and evolution of associated star formation. We investigate the density, temperature, and column density of both dust and gas in the photodissociation regions (PDRs) located at the interface between the atomic and cold molecular gas of the NGC 7023 reflection nebula. We study how young stars affect the gas and dust in their environment. Aims. Several Herschel Space Telescope programs provide a wealth of spatial and spectral information of dust and gas in the heart of PDRs. We focus our study on Spectral and Photometric Image Receiver (SPIRE) Fourier-Transform Spectrometer (FTS) fully sampled maps that allow us for the first time to study the bulk of cool/warm dust and warm molecular gas (CO) together. In particular, we investigate if these populations spatially coincide, if and how the medium is structured, and if strong density and temperature gradients occur, within the limits of the spatial resolution obtained with Herschel. Methods. The SPIRE FTS fully sampled maps at different wavelengths are analysed towards the northwest (NW) and the east (E) PDRs in NGC 7023. We study the spatial and spectral energy distribution of a wealth of intermediate rotational (CO)-C-12 4 \textless= J(u) \textless= 13 and (CO)-C-13 5 \textless= J(u) \textless= 10 lines. A radiative transfer code is used to assess the gas kinetic temperature, density, and column density at different positions in the cloud. The dust continuum emission including Spitzer, the Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS), and SPIRE photometric and the Institute for Radio Astronomy in the Millimeter Range (IRAM) telescope data is also analysed. Using a single modified black body and a radiative transfer model, we derive the dust temperature, density, and column density. Results. The cloud is highly inhomogeneous, containing several irradiated dense structures. Excited (CO)-C-12 and (CO)-C-13 lines and warm dust grains localised at the edge of the dense structures reveal high column densities of warm/cool dense matter. Both tracers give a good agreement in the local density, column density, and physical extent, leading to the conclusion that they trace the same regions. The derived density profiles show a steep gradient at the cloud edge reaching a maximum gas density of 10(5) -10(6) cm(-3) in the PDR NGC 7023 NW and 10(4)-10(5) cm(-3) in the PDR NGC 7023 E and a subsequent decrease inside the cloud. Close to the PDR edges, the dust temperature (30 K and 20 K for the NW and E PDRs, respectively) is lower than the gas temperature derived from CO lines (65-130 K and 45-55 K, respectively). Further inside the cloud, the dust and gas temperatures are similar. The derived thermal pressure is about 10 times higher in NGC 7023 NW than in NGC 7023 E. Comparing the physical conditions to the positions of known young stellar object candidates in NGC 7023 NW, we find that protostars seem to be spatially correlated with the dense structures. Conclusions. Our approach combining both dust and gas delivers strong constraints on the physical conditions of the PDRs. We find dense and warm molecular gas of high column density in the PDRs.