Detection of infall signatures toward serpens SMM4

G. Narayanan, G. Moriarty-Schieven, C. K. Walker, H. M. Butner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present the detection of kinematic infall signatures toward the Class 0 protostellar system SMM4 in the Serpens cloud core. We have observed the dense molecular gas toward the embedded source using millimeter and submillimeter line transitions of density sensitive molecular tracers, High signal-to-noise ratio maps obtained in HCO+ J = 1 → 0, J = 3 → 2, and J = 4 → 3, and CS J = 2 → 1 show the blue-bulge infall signature. The blue-bulge infall signature can be observed in the centroid velocity maps of protostellar objects when infall dominates over rotation. The line profiles of HCO+ and CS exhibit the characteristic blue asymmetric line profile signature consistent with infall. In addition, HCO+ and CS optical depth profiles obtained using isotopic observations show a red asymmetry also consistent with an infall interpretation. Using three-dimensional radiative transfer models based on the rotating, collapse model of Terebey, Shu, & Cassen, we derive infall parameters of the source. To determine the direction and orientation of molecular outflows in the larger Serpens cluster, wide-field mapping of CO J = 1 → 0 emission was also performed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)319-330
Number of pages12
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume565
Issue number1 I
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 20 2002

Keywords

  • Circumstellar matter
  • ISM: clouds
  • ISM: individual (Serpens)Stars: formation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of infall signatures toward serpens SMM4'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this