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Pillars and globules are the best examples of the impact of the radiation and wind from massive stars on the surrounding interstellar medium. We mapped the G287.84-0.82 cometary globule (with the Treasure Chest cluster embedded in it) in the South Pillars region of Carina (i) in [C II], 63 μm [O I], and CO(11–10) using the heterodyne receiver array upGREAT on SOFIA and (ii) in J = 2–1 transitions of CO, 13CO, C18O, and J = 3–2 transitions of H2CO using the APEX telescope in Chile. We used these data to probe the morphology, kinematics, and physical conditions of the molecular gas and the photon-dominated regions (PDRs) in G287.84-0.82. The velocity-resolved observations of [C II] and [O I] suggest that the overall structure of the pillar (with red-shifted photoevaporating tails) is consistent with the effect of FUV radiation and winds from η Car and O stars in Trumpler 16. The gas in the head of the pillar is strongly influenced by the embedded cluster, whose brightest member is an O9.5 V star, CPD −59°2661. The emission of the [C II] and [O I] lines peak at a position close to the embedded star, while all the other tracers peak at another position lying to the northeast consistent with gas being compressed by the expanding PDR created by the embedded cluster. The molecular gas inside the globule was probed with the J = 2–1 transitions of CO and isotopologs as well as H2CO, and analyzed using a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium model (escape-probability approach), while we used PDR models to derive the physical conditions of the PDR. We identify at least two PDR gas components; the diffuse part (~ 104 cm−3) is traced by [C II], while the dense (n ~ 2–8 × 105 cm−3) part is traced by [C II], [O I], and CO(11–10). Using the F = 2–1 transition of [13C II] detected at 50 positions in the region, we derived optical depths (0.9–5), excitation temperatures (80–255 K) of [C II], and N(C+) of 0.3–1 × 1019 cm−2. The total mass of the globule is ~1000 M⊙, about half of which is traced by [C II]. The dense PDR gas has a thermal pressure of 107–108 K cm−3, which is similar to the values observed in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central area (40″  × 40″) of the bipolar nebula S106 was mapped in the [O I] line at 63.2 μm (4.74 THz) with high angular (6″) and spectral (0.24 MHz) resolution, using the GREAT heterodyne receiver on board SOFIA. The spatial and spectral emission distribution of [O I] is compared to emission in the CO 16 →15, [C II] 158 μm, and CO 11 →10 lines, mm-molecular lines, and continuum. The [O I] emission is composed of several velocity components in the range from –30 to 25 km s−1. The high-velocity blue- and red-shifted emission (v = −30 to –9 km s−1 and 8 to 25 km s−1) can be explained as arising from accelerated photodissociated gas associated with a dark lane close to the massive binary system S106 IR, and from shocks caused by the stellar wind and/or a disk–envelope interaction. At velocities from –9 to –4 km s−1 and from 0.5 to 8 km s−1 line wings are observed in most of the lines that we attribute to cooling in photodissociation regions (PDRs) created by the ionizing radiation impinging on the cavity walls. The velocity range from –4 to 0.5 km s−1 is dominated by emission from the clumpy molecular cloud, and the [O I], [C II], and high-J CO lines are excited in PDRs on clump surfaces that are illuminated by the central stars. Modelling the line emission in the different velocity ranges with the KOSMA-τ code constrains a radiation field χ of a few times 104 and densities n of a few times 104 cm−3. Considering self-absorption of the [O I] line results in higher densities (up to 106 cm−3) only for the gas component seen at high blue- and red velocities. We thus confirm the scenario found in other studies that the emission of these lines can be explained by a two-phase PDR, but attribute the high-density gas to the high-velocity component only. The dark lane has a mass of ~275 M⊙ and shows a velocity difference of ~1.4 km s−1 along its projected length of ~1 pc, determined from H13CO+ 1 →0 mapping. Its nature depends on the geometry and can be interpreted as a massive accretion flow (infall rate of ~2.5 × 10−4M⊙ yr−1), or the remains of it, linked to S106 IR/FIR. The most likely explanation is that the binary system is at a stage of its evolution where gas accretion is counteracted by the stellar winds and radiation, leading to the very complex observed spatial and kinematic emission distribution of the various tracers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Messier 8 (M8) is one of the brightest HII regions in the sky. We collected an extensive dataset comprising multiple sub- millimeter spectral lines from neutral and ionized carbon and from CO. Based on this dataset, we aim to understand the morphology of M8 and that of its associated photodissociation region (PDR) and to carry out a quantitative analysis of the physical conditions of these regions such as kinetic temperatures and volume densities. Methods. We used the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) 12 m, and the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) 30 m telescopes to perform a comprehensive imaging survey of the emission from the fine structure lines of [C II] and [C I] and multiple rotational transitions of carbon monoxide (CO) isotopologs within 1.3 × 1.3 pc around the dominant Herschel 36 (Her 36) system, which is composed of at least three massive stars. To further explore the morphology of the region, we compared archival infrared, optical, and radio images of the nebula with our newly obtained fine structure line and CO data, and in particular with the velocity information these data provide. We performed a quantitative analysis, using both LTE and non-LTE methods to determine the abundances of some of the observed species, kinetic temperatures, and volume densities. Results. Bright CO, [C II] and [C I] emission have been found toward the HII region and the PDR in M8. Our analysis places the bulk of the molecular material in the background of the nebulosity illuminated by the bright stellar systems Her 36 and 9 Sagitarii. Since the emission from all observed atomic and molecular tracers peaks at or close to the position of Her 36, we conclude that the star is still physically close to its natal dense cloud core and heats it. A veil of warm gas moves away from Her 36 toward the Sun and its associated dust contributes to the foreground extinction in the region. One of the most prominent star forming regions in M8, the Hourglass Nebula, is particularly bright due to cracks in this veil close to Her 36. We obtain H2 densities ranging from ~104–106 cm–3 and kinetic temperatures of 100–150 K in the bright PDR caused by Her 36 using radiative transfer modeling of various transitions of CO isotopologs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. During the transition from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to planetary nebulae (PN), the circumstellar geometry and morphology change dramatically. Another characteristic of this transition is the high mass-loss rate, that can be partially explained by radiation pressure and a combination of various factors, such as the stellar pulsation, the dust grain condensation, and opacity in the upper atmosphere. The magnetic field can also be one of the main ingredients that shapes the stellar upper atmosphere and envelope. Aims. Our main goal is to investigate for the first time the spatial distribution of the magnetic field in the envelope of IRC+10216. More generally we intend to determine the magnetic field strength in the circumstellar envelope (CSE) of C-rich evolved stars, compare this field with previous studies for O-rich stars, and constrain the variation of the magnetic field with r the distance to the star's centre. Methods. We use spectropolarimetric observations of the Stokes V parameter, collected with Xpol on the IRAM-30 m radiotelescope, observing the Zeeman effect in seven hyperfine components of the CN J = 1-0 line. We use the Crutcher et al. (1996, ApJ, 456, 217) method to estimate the magnetic field. For the first time, the instrumental contamination is investigated, through dedicated studies of the power patterns in Stokes V and I in detail. Results. For C-rich evolved stars, we derive a magnetic field strength (B) between 1.6 and 14.2 mG while B is estimated to be 6 mG for the proto-PN (PPN) AFGL618, and an upper value of 8 mG is found for the PN NGC 7027. These results are consistent with a decrease of B as 1/r in the environment of AGB objects, that is, with the presence of a toroidal field. But this is not the case for PPN and PN stars. Our map of IRC+10216 suggests that the magnetic field is not homogeneously strong throughout or aligned with the envelope and that the morphology of the CN emission might have changed with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Protostellar jets and outflows are key features of the star-formation process, and primary processes of the feedback of young stars on the interstellar medium. Understanding the underlying shocks is necessary to explain how jet and outflow systems are launched, and to quantify their chemical and energetic impacts on the surrounding medium. Aims: We performed a high-spectral resolution study of the [OI]63μm emission in the outflow of the intermediate-mass Class 0 protostar Cep E-mm. The goal is to determine the structure of the outflow, to constrain the chemical conditions in the various components, and to understand the nature of the underlying shocks, thus probing the origin of the mass-loss phenomenon. Methods: We present observations of the OI ³P1 → ³P2, OH between ²Π1/2J = 3/2 and J = 1/2 at 1837.8 GHz, and CO (16-15) lines with the GREAT receiver onboard SOFIA towards three positions in the Cep E protostellar outflow: Cep E-mm (the driving protostar), Cep E-BI (in the southern lobe), and Cep E-BII (the terminal position in the southern lobe). Results: The CO (16-15) line is detected at all three positions. The [OI]63μm line is detected in Cep E-BI and BII, whereas the OH line is not detected. In Cep E-BII, we identify three kinematical components in OI and CO. These were already detected in CO transitions and relate to spatial components: the jet, the HH377 terminal bow-shock, and the outflow cavity. We measure line temperature and line integrated intensity ratios for all components. The OI column density is higher in the outflow cavity than in the jet, which itself is higher than in the terminal shock. The terminal shock is the region where the abundance ratio of OI to CO is the lowest (about 0.2), whereas the jet component is atomic (N(OI)/N(CO)~2.7). In the jet, we compare the [OI]63μm observations with shock models that successfully fit the integrated intensity of 10 CO lines. We find that these models most likely do not fit the [OI]63μm data. Conclusions: The high intensity of OI emission points towards the propagation of additional dissociative or alternative FUV-irradiated shocks, where the illumination comes from the shock itself. A picture emerges from the sample of low-to-high mass protostellar outflows, where similar observations have been performed, with the effects of illumination increasing with the mass of the protostar. These findings need confirmation with more observational constraints and a larger sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In molecular outflows from forming low-mass protostars, most oxygen is expected to be locked up in water. However, Herschel observations have shown that typically an order of magnitude or more of the oxygen is still unaccounted for. To test if the oxygen is instead in atomic form, SOFIA-GREAT observed the R1 position of the bright molecular outflow from NGC 1333-IRAS4A. The [O i] 63 µm line is detected and spectrally resolved. From an intensity peak at +15 km s-1, the intensity decreases until +50 km s-1. The profile is similar to that of high-velocity (HV) H2O and CO 16-15, the latter observed simultaneously with [O i]. A radiative transfer analysis suggests that ~15% of the oxygen is in atomic form toward this shock position. The CO abundance is inferred to be ~10-4 by a similar analysis, suggesting that this is the dominant oxygen carrier in the HV component. These results demonstrate that a large portion of the observed [O i] emission is part of the outflow. Further observations are required to verify whether this is a general trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Recent submillimeter and far-infrared wavelength observations of absorption in the rotational ground-state lines of various simple molecules against distant Galactic continuum sources have opened the possibility of studying the chemistry of diffuse molecular clouds throughout the Milky Way. In order to calculate abundances, the column densities of molecular and atomic hydrogen, Hi, must be known. Aims. We aim at determining the atomic hydrogen column densities for diffuse clouds located on the sight lines toward a sample of prominent high-mass star-forming regions that were intensely studied with the HIFI instrument onboard Herschel. Methods. Based on Jansky Very Large Array data, we employ the 21 cm Hi absorption-line technique to construct profiles of the Hi opacity versus radial velocity toward our target sources. These profiles are combined with lower resolution archival data of extended Hi emission to calculate the Hi column densities of the individual clouds along the sight lines. We employ Bayesian inference to estimate the uncertainties of the derived quantities. Results. Our study delivers reliable estimates of the atomic hydrogen column density for a large number of diffuse molecular clouds at various Galactocentric distances. Together with column densities of molecular hydrogen derived from its surrogates observed with HIFI, the measurements can be used to characterize the clouds and investigate the dependence of their chemistry on the molecular fraction, for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) with its 2.5 m telescope provides new science opportunities for spectroscopic observations of planetary atmospheres in the far-infrared wavelength range. Aims. This paper presents first results from the 14 May, 2014 observing campaign of the Martian atmosphere at 4.7 THz using the German REceiver for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies (GREAT) instrument. Methods. The atomic oxygen 63 μm transition, OI, was detected in absorption against the Mars continuum, with a high signal-to-noise ratio (∼35). A beam-averaged atomic oxygen from a global circulation model was used as input to the radiative transfer simulations of the observed line area and to obtain a new estimate on the column density using a grid-search method. Results. Minimizing di erences between the calculated and observed line intensities in the least-square sense yields an atomic oxygen column density of (1:1 ± 0:2) × 10-17 cm-2. This value is about twice as low as predicted by a modern photochemical model of Mars. The radiative transfer simulations indicate that the line forms in the upper atmospheric region over a rather extended altitude region of 70-120 km. Conclusions. For the first time, a far-infrared transition of the atomic oxygen line was detected in the atmosphere of Mars. The absorption depth provides an estimate on the column density, and this measurement provides additional means to constrain the photochemical models in global circulation models and airglow studies. The lack of other means for monitoring the atomic oxygen in the Martian upper atmosphere makes future observations with the SOFIA observatory highly desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have observed five sulphur-bearing molecules in foreground diffuse molecular clouds lying along the sight-lines to five bright continuum sources. We have used the GREAT instrument on SOFIA to observe the SH 1383 GHz 2Π3/2 ← = 5/2 = 3/2 lambda doublet toward the star-forming regions W31C, G29.96-0.02, G34.3+0.1, W49N and W51, detecting foreground absorption towards all five sources; and the EMIR receivers on the IRAM 30 m telescope at Pico Veleta to detect the H2S 110-101 (169 GHz), CS J = 2-1 (98 GHz) and SO 32-21 (99 GHz) transitions. Upper limits on the H3S+ 10-00 (293 GHz) transition were also obtained at the IRAM 30 m. In nine foreground absorption components detected towards these sources, the inferred column densities of the four detected molecules showed relatively constant ratios, with N(SH)/N(H2S) in the range 1.1-3.0, N(CS)/N(H2S) in the range 0.32-0.61, and N(SO)/N(H2S) in the range 0.08-0.30. The column densities of the sulphur-bearing molecules are very well correlated amongst themselves, moderately well correlated with CH (a surrogate tracer for H2), and poorly correlated with atomic hydrogen. The observed SH/H2 ratios - in the range 5 to 26 × 10-9 - indicate that SH (and other sulphur-bearing molecules) account for «1% of the gas-phase sulphur nuclei. The observed abundances of sulphur-bearing molecules, however, greatly exceed those predicted by standard models of cold diffuse molecular clouds, providing further evidence for the enhancement of endothermic reaction rates by elevated temperatures or ion-neutral drift. We have considered the observed abundance ratios in the context of shock and turbulent dissipation region (TDR) models. Using the TDR model, we find that the turbulent energy available at large scale in the diffuse ISM is sufficient to explain the observed column densities of SH and CS. Standard shock and TDR models, however, fail to reproduce the column densities of H2S and SO by a factor of about 10; more elaborate shock models - in which account is taken of the velocity drift, relative to H2, of SH molecules produced by the dissociative recombination of H3S+ - reduce this discrepancy to a factor ~3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The [C II] 158 μm line is one of the dominant coolants of the ISM, and an important probe with which to study the star formation process. Recent Herschel/HIFI and SOFIA/GREAT observations showed that assuming the total velocity-integrated intensity of this line is directly associated with the star-forming material is inadequate. Aims. We probe the column densities and masses traced by the ionized and neutral atomic carbon with spectrally resolved maps, and compare them to the diffuse and dense molecular gas traced by [C I] and low-J CO lines toward the star-forming region M17 SW. Methods. We mapped a 4.1 pc × 4.7 pc region in the [C I] 609 μm line using the APEX telescope, as well as the CO isotopologues with the IRAM 30 m telescope. Because of the velocity-resolved spectra, we analyze the data based on velocity channel maps that are 1 km s-1 wide. We correlate their spatial distribution with that of the [C II] map obtained with SOFIA/GREAT. Optically thin approximations were used to estimate the column densities of [C I] and [C II] in each velocity channel. Results. The distribution of the emission from the isotopologues 13CO, C17O, and C18O resembles more closely that of the [C I] emission than that of the 12CO emission. The spatial distribution of the [C I] and all CO isotopologues emission was found to be associated with that of [C II] in about 20%-80% of the mapped region, with the high correlation found in the central (15-23 km s-1) velocity channels. Conclusions. The excitation temperature of [C I] ranges between 40 K and 100 K in the inner molecular region of M17 SW. Excitation temperatures up to 200 K are found along the ridge. Column densities in 1 km s-1 channels between ~1015 cm-2 and ~1017 cm-2 were found for [C I]. Just ~20 % of the velocity range (~40 km s-1) that the [C II] line spans is associated with the star-forming material traced by [C I] and CO. The total (integrated over the 0-40 km s-1 velocity range) gas mass estimated from the [C II] emission gives a lower limit of ~4.4 × 103 M⊙. A very large fraction of at least 64% of this mass is not associated with the star-forming material in M17 SW. We also found that about 36%, 17%, and 47% of the [C II] emission is associated with the H II, H I, and H2 regimes, respectively. Comparisons with the H41α line shows an ionization region mixed with the neutral and part of the molecular gas, in agreement with the clumped structure and dynamical processes at play in M17 SW. These results are also relevant to extra-galactic studies in which [C II] is often used as a tracer of star-forming material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim to investigate the polarization properties of a starless core in an early evolutionary stage. Linear polarization data reveal the properties of the dust grains in the distinct phases of the interstellar medium. Our goal is to investigate how the polarization degree and angle correlate with the cloud and core gas. Methods. We use optical, near infrared, and submillimeter polarization observations on the starless object Pipe-109 in the Pipe nebula. Our data cover a physical scale range of 0.08 to 0.4 pc, comprising the dense gas, envelope, and the surrounding cloud. Results. The cloud polarization is well traced by the optical data. The near infrared polarization is produced by a mixed population of grains from the core border and the cloud gas. The optical and near infrared polarization toward the cloud reaches the maximum possible value and saturates with respect to the visual extinction. The core polarization is predominantly traced by the submillimeter data and has a steep decrease with respect to the visual extinction. Modeling of the submillimeter polarization indicates a magnetic field main direction projected onto the plane-of-sky and loss of grain alignment for densities higher than 6 × 104 cm-3 (or AV > 30 mag). Conclusions. The object is immersed in a magnetized medium with a very ordered magnetic field. The absence of internal source of radiation significantly affects the polarization efficiencies in the core, creating a polarization hole at the center of the starless core. This result supports the theory of dust grain alignment via radiative torques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Short millimeter observations of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) offer an excellent opportunity to study the physics of their synchrotron-emitting relativistic jets from where the bulk of radio and millimeter emission is radiated. On one hand, AGN jets and their emission cores are significantly less affected by Faraday rotation and depolarization than at longer wavelengths. On the other hand, the millimeter emission of AGN is dominated by the compact innermost regions in the jets, where the jet cannot be seen at longer wavelengths due to synchrotron opacity. Aims. We present the first simultaneous dual frequency 86?GHz and 229?GHz polarimetric survey of all four Stokes parameters for a large sample of 211 radio-loud active galactic nuclei, designed to be flux limited at 1?Jy at 86?GHz. Methods. Most of the observations were made in mid-August 2010 using the XPOL polarimeter on the IRAM 30?m millimetric radio telescope. Results. Linear polarization detections above a 3s median level of ~ 1.0% are reported for 183 sources at 86?GHz and for 23 sources at 229?GHz, where the median 3s level is ~ 6.0%. We show a clear excess of the linear polarization degree that is detected at 229?GHz with regard to that at 86?GHz by a factor of ~ 1.6. This implies a progressively better ordered magnetic field for blazar jet regions that are located progressively upstream in the jet. We show that the linear polarization angle at 86 and 229?GHz and the jet structural position angle for both quasars and BL Lacs do not show a clear preference to align in either parallel or perpendicular directions. Our variability study with regard to the 86?GHz data from our previous survey points out a large degree of variation. In particular, we report total flux and linear polarization changes in time scales of years by median factors of ~ 1.5 in total flux and ~ 1.7 in linear polarization degree (with maximum variations by factors up to 6.3 and ~ 5, respectively). Moreover, 86% of sources show linear polarization angles evenly distributed with regard to our previous measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From an observational point of view, the role of magnetic fields in star formation remains unclear, and two main theoretical scenarios have been proposed so far to regulate the star-formation processes. The first model assumes that turbulence in star-forming clumps plays a crucial role, and especially that protostellar outflow-driven turbulence is crucial to support cluster-forming clumps; while the second scenario is based on the consideration of a magnetically-supported clump. Previous studies of the NGC 2264-C protocluster indicate that, in addition to thermal pressure, some extra support might effectively act against the gravitational collapse of this clusterforming clump. We previously showed that this extra support is not due to the numerous protostellar outflows, nor the enhanced turbulence in this protocluster. Here we present the results of the first polarimetric campaign dedicated to quantifying the magnetic support at work in the NGC 2264-C clump. Our Zeeman observations of the CN(1-0) hyperfine lines provide an upper limit to the magnetic field strength Blos ≲ 0.6 mG in the protocluster (projected along the line of sight). While these results do not provide sufficiently tight constraints to fully quantify the magnetic support at work in NGC 2264-C, they suggest that, within the uncertainties, the core could be either magnetically super or sub-critical, with the former being more likely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. With new THz maps that cover an area of ∼3.3 x 2.1 pc² we probe the spatial distribution and association of She ionized, neutral and molecular gas components in the M17 SW nebula. Methods. We used the dual hand receiver GREAT on board the SOFIA airborne telescope to obtain a 5'.7 x 3'.7 map of the 12CO J = 13-12 transition and the [C II] 158 μm fine-structure line in M17 SW and compare the spectroscopically resolved maps with corresponding ground-baaed data for low- and mid-J CO and [C 1] emission. Results. For the first time SOFIA/GREAT allow us to compare velocity-reaolved [C II] emission maps with molecular tracers. We see a large pail of the [C II] emission, both spatially and in velocity, that is completely non-associated with the other tracers of photon- dominated regions (PDR). Only particular narrow channel maps of the velocity-resolved [C II] spectra show a correlation between the different gas components, which is not seen at all in the integrated intensity maps. These a how different morphology in all lines but give hardly any information on the origin of the emission. The [C II] 158 μm emission extends for more than 2 pc into the M17 SW molecular cloud and its line profile covers a broader velocity range than the 12CO J = 13-12 and [CI] emissions, which we interpret as several clumps and layers of ionized carbon gas within the telescope beam. The high-J 12CO emission emerges from a dense region between the ionized and neutral carbon emissions, indicating the presence of high-density clumps that allow the fast formation of hot CO in the irradiated complex structure of M17 SW. The [CII] observations in the southern PDR cannot be explained with stratified or clumpy PDR models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BD+40°4124 region was observed with high angular and The BD+40°4124 region was observed with high angular and spectral resolution with the German heterodyne instrument GREAT in CO J = 13 → 12 and [C II] on SOFIA. These observations show that the [C II] emission is very strong in the reflection nebula surrounding the young Herbig Ae/Be star BD+40°4124. A strip map over the nebula shows that the [CII] emission approximately coincides with the optical nebulosity. The strongest [C II] emission is centered on the B2 star and a deep spectrum shows that it has faint wings, which suggests that the ionized gas is expanding. We also see faint CO J = 13 → 12 at the position of BD+40°4124, which suggests that the star may still be surrounded by an accretion disk. We also detected [C II] emission and strong CO J = 13 → 12 toward V 1318 Cyg. Here the [C1] emission is fainter than in BD+40°4124 and appears to come from the outflow, since it shows red and blue wings with very little emission at the systemic velocity, where the CO emission is quite strong. It therefore appears that in the broad ISO beam the [CII] emission was dominated by the reflection nebula surrounding BD+4fF4124, while the high J CO lines originated from the adjacent younger and more deeply embedded binary system V 1318 Cyg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the interstellar medium is determined by gas phase chemistry, assisted by grain surface reactions, and by shock chemistry. The aim of this study is to measure the abundance of the hydroxyl radical (OH) in diffuse spiral arm clouds as a contribution to our understanding of the underlying network of chemical reactions. Owing to their high critical density, the ground states of light hydrides provide a tool to directly estimate column densities by means of absorption spectroscopy against bright background sources. We observed onboard the SOFIA observatory the ²Π3/2, J = 5/2 ← 3/2 2.5 THz line of ground-state OH in the diffuse clouds of the Carina-Sagittarius spiral arm. OH column densities in the spiral arm clouds along the sightlines to W49N, W51 and G34.26+0. 15 were found to be of the order of H2O cm-2, which corresponds to a fractional abundance of 10-7 to 10-8-8, which is comparable to that of H2O. The absorption spectra of both species have similar velocity components, and the ratio of the derived H2O to OH column densities ranges from 0.3 to 1.0. In W49N we also detected the corresponding line of 18OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained new velocity-resolved spectra of the [CH] 158pm line towards the Ring Nebula in Lyra (NGC 6720), one of the heat-studied planetary nebulae, in order to probe its controversial 3-dimensional structure and to estimate the mass of circumstellar material in this object. We used the terahertz receiver GREAT aboard the SOFIA airborne telescope to obtain the [CII] spectra at eight locations within and outside the bright optical ring of NGC 6720. Emission was detected at all positions except for the moat distant position along the nebula's minor axis, and generally covers a broad velocity range, ΔV - 50km s-1 (FWZI), except at a position along the major axis located just outside the optical ring, where it is significantly narrower (ΔV - 25km s-1). The one narrow spectrum appears to be probing circumatellar material lying outside the main nebular shell that has not bees accelerated by past last wind episodes from the central star, and therefore most likely comes from equatorial and/or low-latitude regions of this multipolar nebula. Along lines-of-sight passing within about 10" of the nebular center, the CII column density is a factor 46 higher than the CO column density. The total mass of gas associated with the [CII] emission inside a circular region of diameter 87'5 is at least 0. t I Mo. A significant amount of [CII] flux arises from a photodissociation region immediately outside the bright optical ring, where we find a CII to CO ratio of >6.5, lower than that seen towards the central region. Comparing our data with lower-quality CI spectra, which indicate similarly large Ct/CO ratios in NGC 6720, we conclude that the bulk of elemental carbon in NGC 6720 is divided roughly equally between CII and CI, sod that the emissions from these species are far more robust tracers of circumstellar material than CO in this object sod other evolved planetary nebulae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud contraction and infall are the fundamental processes of star formation. While `blue-skewed' line profiles observed in high- mass star forming regions are commonly taken as evidence of infall by an ever increasing number of studies, their interpretation offers many pitfalls. Detecting infall via redshifted absorption in front of continuum sources is a much more direct and reliable method but so far mostly restricted toward absorption in the centimeter toward strong 1111 regions. Here we present a novel approach by probing absorption of rotational ammonia transitions in front of the strong dust emission of massive star-forming regions. A carefully selected sample of three regions with different stages of evolution is selected to study infall through the evolution of massive star-forming clumps. Redshifted absorption is detected toward all three sources and infall rates between 3-10 x 10-3 10-3yr-1 are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Carbon monoxide is an excellent tracer of the physical conditions of gas in molecular outflows from young stars. Aims. To understand the outflow mechanism we need to investigate the origin of the molecular emission and the structure and interaction of the outflowing molecular gas. Deriving the physical parameters of the gas will help us to trace and understand the various gas components in the how. Methods. We observed CO (12-11) line emission at various positions along the LI 157 bipolar outflow with GREAT aboard SOFIA. Results. Comparing these new data with CO (2-1), we find basically constant line ratios along the outflow and even at the position of the source. These line ratios lead us to estimates of l0~ to 106 cm3 for the gas density and 60 to 100 K for the gas temperature of the outflowing gas. Conclusions. The constrained density and temperature values indicate that we are mostly tracing a low-velocity gas component everywhere along the outflow, which is intermediate between the already known cold gas component, which gets entrained into the flow, and the hot gas, which gets shocked in the outflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The hydroxyl radical (OH) is found in various environments within the interstellar medium (ISM) of the Milky Way and external galaxies, mostly either in diffuse interstellar clouds or in the warm, dense environments of newly formed low-mass and high-mass stars, i.e., in the dense shells of compact and ultracompact HII regions (UCHIIRs). Until today, most studies of interstellar OH involved the molecule's radio wavelength hyperfine structure (hfs) transitions. These lines are generally not in local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) and either masing or over-cooling complicates their interpretation. In the past, observations of transitions between different rotational levels of OH, which are at far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths, have suffered from limited spectral and angular resolution. Since these lines have critical densities many orders of magnitude higher than the radio wavelength ground state hfs lines and are emitted from levels with more than 100 K above the ground state, when observed in emission, they probe very dense and warm material. Aims. We aim so probe the warm and dense molecular material surrounding the UCHHR/OH maser sources W3(OH), 010.62-0.39 and NGC 7538 IRS1 by studying the ²Π½, J = 3/2-1/2 rotational transition of OH in emission and, toward the last source alto the molecule's ² Π3/2, J = 5/2-3/2 ground-state transition in absorption. Methods. We used the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to observe these OH lines, which are near 1.84 THz (163 μm) and 2.51 THz (119.3 μm), with high angular (∼ 16"/l I ") and spectral resolution (better than 1 km s-1). Results. We clearly detect she OH linen, some of which are blended with each other. Employing non-LTE radiative transfer calculations we predict line intensities using models of a low OH abundance envelope versus a compact, high-abundance source corresponding to the origin of the radio OH lines. From the observed velocities and line-widths we can place constraints on she origin of the emission, and wish detailed modeling we show for instance that the OH emission of W3(OH) comes from the UCHTIR and not from the envelope of she nearby hot-core. Conclusions. The FIR lines of the OH molecule provide important information on the density and temperature structure of UCHHRs. Taking a tow-abundance envelope component is not sufficient so reproduce the spectra for W3(OH) and 010.62-0.39, a compact, high OH column density source - corresponding so the OH radio emitting sources is definitively required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of interstellar mercapto radicals (SH) along the sight-line to the submillimeter continuum source W49N. We have used the GREAT instrument on SOFIA to observe the 1383 GHz ²Π3/2 J = 5/2 ← 3/2 lambda doublet in the upper sideband of the Li receiver. The resulting spectrum reveals SH absorption in material local to W49N, as well as in foreground gas, unassociated with W49N, that is located along the sight-line. For the foreground material at velocities in the range 37-44 km s-1 with respect to the local standard of rest, we infer a total SH column density ∼4.6 x 1012 cm-2, corresponding to ass abundance of ∼7 x 10-9 relative to H2, and yielding an SH/H2S abundance ratio ∼0.13. The observed SH/H2S abundance ratio is much smaller than that predicted by standard models for the production of SH and H2S in turbulent dissipation regions and shocks, and suggests that the endothermic neutral-neutral reaction SH + H2 + H2S + H must be enhanced along with the ion-neutral reactions believed to produce CH+ and SW in diffuse molecular clouds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Although water is an essential and widespread molecule in star-forming regions, its chemical formation pathways are still not very well constrained, observing the level of deuterium fractionation of OH, a radical involved in the water chemical network, is a promising way to infer its chemical origin. Aims. We aim at understanding the formation mechanisms of water by investigating the origin of its deuterium fractionation. This can be achieved by observing the abundance of OD towards the low-mann protostar IRAS 16293-2422, where the FIDO distribution is already known. Methods. Using the GREAT receiver on board SOFIA, we observed the ground-state OD transition at 1391.5 GHz towards the low- mans protostar [RAS 16293-2422. We also present the detection of the HDO 111-0∞ line using the APEX telescope. We compare the OD/FIDO abundance ratio inferred from these observations with the predictions of chemical models. Results. The OD line in detected in absorption towards the source continuum. Thin in the first detection of OD outside the solar system. The SOFIA observation, coupled to the observation of the HDO 111-0∞ line, provides an estimate of the abundance ratio OD/HDO ∼ 17-90 in the gas where the absorption taken place. Thin value in fairly high compared with model predictions. Thin may be reconciled if reprocessing in the gas by means of the dissociative recombination of H2DO+ further fractionates OH with respect to water. Conclusions. The present observation demonstrates the capability of the SOFIA/GREAT instrument to detect the ground transition of 00 towards star-forming regions in a frequency range that wan not accessible before. Dissociative recombination of H2DO+ may play an important role in netting a high OD abundance. Measuring the branching ration of this reaction in the laboratory will be of great value for chemical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GREAT observations need frequency-selective calibration across the passband for the residual atmospheric opacity at flight altitude. At these altitudes the atmospheric opacity has both narrow and broad spectral features. To determine the atmospheric transmission at high spectral resolution, GREAT compares the observed atmospheric emission with atmospheric model predictions, and therefore depends on the validity of the atmospheric models. We discuss the problems identified in this comparison with respect to the observed data and the models, and describe the strategy used to calibrate the science data from GREAT/SOFIA during the first observing periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Several millimeter and submillimeter facilities with linear polarization observing capabilities have started operating during the last years. These facilities, as well as other previous millimeter telescopes and interferometers, require bright and stable linear polarization calibrators to calibrate new instruments and to monitor their instrumental polarization. The current limited number of adequate calibrators implies difficulties in the acquisition of these calibration observations. Aims. Looking for additional linear polarization calibrators in the millimeter spectral range, we started monitoring 3C 286 in mid- 2006. This source is a standard and highly stable polarization calibrator for radio observations. Methods. Here we present the 3mm and 1mm monitoring observations obtained between September 2006 and January 2012 with the XPOL polarimeter on the IRAM 30m Millimeter Telescope. Results. Our observations show that 3C 286 is a bright source of constant total flux with 3mm flux density S 3mm = (0.91 ± 0.02) Jy. The 3mm linear polarization degree (p3mm = [13.5± 0.3]%) and polarization angle (X3mm = [37.3± 0.8]°, expressed in the equatorial coordinate system) were also constant during the time span of our observations. Although with poorer time sampling and signal-tonoise ratio, our 1mm observations of 3C 286 are also reproduced by a constant source of 1mm flux density (S 1mm = [0.30±0.03] Jy), polarization fraction (p1mm = [14.4 ± 1.8]%), and polarization angle (χ1mm = [33.1 ± 5.7]°). Conclusions. This, together with the previously known compact structure of 3C 286 - extended by ∼3.5" in the sky - allow us to propose 3C 286 as a new calibrator for both single-dish and interferometric polarization observations at 3 mm, and possibly at shorter wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]