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Since synchrotron polarization fluctuations are related to the fundamental properties of the magnetic field, we propose the polarization intensity variance to measure the Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) magnetization. We confirm the method's applicability by comparing it with the polarization angle dispersion and its reliability by measuring the underlying Alfvénic Mach number of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. With the finding of the power-law relation of A ∝ M A 2 between polarization intensity variance A and Alfvénic Mach number M A, we apply the new technique to the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey data, achieving the Alfvénic Mach number of the Galactic ISM. Our results show that the low-latitude Galactic ISM is dominated by sub-Alfénic turbulence, with M A approximately between 0.5 and 1.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the first flight of Spider and from the Planck High Frequency Instrument, we probe the properties of polarized emission from interstellar dust in the Spider observing region. Component-separation algorithms operating in both the spatial and harmonic domains are applied to probe their consistency and to quantify modeling errors associated with their assumptions. Analyses of diffuse Galactic dust emission spanning the full Spider region demonstrate (i) a spectral energy distribution that is broadly consistent with a modified-blackbody (MBB) model with a spectral index of β _d = 1.45 ± 0.05 (1.47 ± 0.06) for E ( B )-mode polarization, slightly lower than that reported by Planck for the full sky; (ii) an angular power spectrum broadly consistent with a power law; and (iii) no significant detection of line-of-sight polarization decorrelation. Tests of several modeling uncertainties find only a modest impact (∼10% in σ _r ) on Spider ’s sensitivity to the cosmological tensor-to-scalar ratio. The size of the Spider region further allows for a statistically meaningful analysis of the variation in foreground properties within it. Assuming a fixed dust temperature T _d = 19.6 K, an analysis of two independent subregions of that field results in inferred values of β _d = 1.52 ± 0.06 and β _d = 1.09 ± 0.09, which are inconsistent at the 3.9 σ level. Furthermore, a joint analysis of Spider and Planck 217 and 353 GHz data within one subregion is inconsistent with a simple MBB at more than 3 σ , assuming a common morphology of polarized dust emission over the full range of frequencies. This evidence of variation may inform the component-separation approaches of future cosmic microwave background polarization experiments.

The spectral line energy distribution of carbon monoxide contains information about the physical conditions of the star-forming molecular hydrogen gas; however, the relation to local radiation field properties is poorly constrained. Using ∼1–2 kpc scale Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations of CO(3−2) and CO(4−3), we characterize the CO(4−3)/CO(3−2) line ratios of local analogues of main-sequence galaxies at z ∼ 1–2, drawn from the DYnamics of Newly Assembled Massive Objects (DYNAMO) sample. We measure CO(4−3)/CO(3−2) across the disk of each galaxy and find a median line ratio of R 43 = 0.54 − 0.15 + 0.16 for the sample. This is higher than literature estimates of local star-forming galaxies and is consistent with multiple lines of evidence that indicate DYNAMO galaxies, despite residing in the local universe, resemble main-sequence galaxies at z ∼ 1–2. Comparing with existing lower-resolution CO(1−0) observations, we find R 41 and R 31 values in the range ∼0.2–0.3 and ∼0.4–0.8, respectively. We combine our kiloparsec-scale resolved line ratio measurements with Hubble Space Telescope observations of H α to investigate the relation to the star formation rate surface density and compare this relation to expectations from models. We find increasing CO(4−3)/CO(3−2) with increasing star formation rate surface density; however, models overpredict the line ratios across the range of star formation rate surface densities we probe, in particular at the lower range. Finally, Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy observations with the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus and Field-Imaging Far-Infrared Line Spectrometer reveal low dust temperatures and no deficit of [C ii ] emission with respect to the total infrared luminosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue luminescence (BL) has been observed in various astrophysical environments, such as the inner region of the Red Rectangle Nebula. It has been previously linked to small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this study, we explore the potential of N- and O-doped graphene material as carriers of BL. Using vacuum ultraviolet irradiation, pristine single-layer graphene films were exposed to solid N _2 and O _2 at low temperatures, resulting in the formation of N- or O-doped graphene. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the synthesized N-doped graphene exhibits an asymmetrical peak at 378 nm, which is nearly identical to the BL observed in the Red Rectangle. In contrast, the synthesized O-doped graphene shows a symmetrical PL band at 414 nm. Further Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal that nitrogen atoms substitute carbon atoms in the graphene lattice, introducing structural defects and sp ^2 regions responsible for the observed luminescence. The simplicity of the bonding structures in the N-doped graphene, dominated by pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N groups, further supports its potential as a model system for studying BL.

The unidentified infrared emission features at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3, and 12.7 μ m are ubiquitously seen in a wide variety of astrophysical regions and commonly attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. However, the unambiguous identification of any individual, specific PAH molecules has proven elusive until very recently, when two isomers of cyanonapthalene, which consists of two fused benzene rings and substitutes a nitrile (–CN) group for a hydrogen atom, were discovered in the Taurus Molecular Cloud, based on their rotational transitions at radio frequencies. To facilitate the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to search for cyanonapthalenes in astrophysical regions, we model the vibrational excitation of cyanonapthalenes and calculate their infrared emission spectra in a number of representative astrophysical regions. The model emission spectra and intensities will allow JWST to quantitatively determine or place an upper limit on the abundances of cyanonapthalenes.

Based on the slopes between DESI g , r and Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) 100 μ m intensities, specifically k _g and k _r , we have constructed a substantial sample of Galactic cirri. This sample covers 561.25 deg ^2 at high Galactic latitudes (∣ b ∣ ≥ 30°), allowing for a systematic study of the physical parameters of the Galactic cirrus on a large scale, such as g − r color, dust temperature, asymmetry factor, and albedo. The ratio of k _g and k _r is consistent with the diffuse Galactic starlight model, suggesting that the diffuse starlight within our own Galaxy serves as the primary illumination source for the cirrus. Both k _g and k _r decrease slowly with increasing Galactic latitudes and IRAS 100 μ m intensities, while they do not have a correlation with Galactic longitudes. The distribution of k _g and k _r confirms a significant scatter in the slopes, reaching a factor of 4–5. Such large scatter cannot be explained by the weak correlation between the slopes and Galactic latitudes and IRAS 100 μ m intensities. Instead, it is attributed to substantial variations in the intrinsic properties of the dust, e.g., asymmetry factor and albedo. We propose that the properties of dust particles play a critical role in the observed scatter in slopes, making them the primary contributing factors. Moreover, the variations in dust properties within the cirrus are localized rather than exhibiting large-scale gradients.

Emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a commonly used indicator of star formation activity in galaxies, also has the potential to serve as an effective empirical tracer of molecular gas. We use a sample of 19 nearby galaxies with spatially resolved mid-infrared Spitzer spectroscopy, multiwavelength optical and mid-infrared imaging, and millimeter interferometric CO(1–0) maps to investigate the feasibility of using PAH emission as an empirical proxy to estimate molecular gas mass. PAH emission correlates strongly with CO emission on subkiloparsec scales over the diverse environments probed by our sample of star-forming galaxies and low-luminosity active galactic nuclei. The tight observed correlation, likely a consequence of photoelectronic heating of the diffuse interstellar gas by the PAHs, permits us to derive an empirical calibration to estimate molecular gas mass from the luminosity of PAH emission that has a total scatter of only ∼0.2–0.25 dex. Mid-infrared bands sensitive to PAH emission (e.g., the Spitzer/IRAC4 and WISE/W3 filters) can also be used as a highly effective substitute for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended red emission (ERE) is a broad feature in the spectral region of 500–900 nm commonly observed in a wide range of circumstellar and interstellar environments. Although the observational constraints for ERE are well established, definitive identifications of the carriers and associated processes complying with these constraints remain unanswered. We report a plausible two-step model involving far-ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated single-layer graphene (SLG), considered as large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, to meet these constraints and supported by laboratory experiments. The far-UV-treated SLG, producing structural defects and graphene quantum dots, showed photoluminescence excitation spectrum extending from the far-UV to UV–visible region, hence meeting the requirements of far-UV light and high photon conversion efficiency. Furthermore, a photoluminescence band shifted from ∼585 to ∼750 nm for high-dose-exposed SLG agrees with the observed redshift of the ERE band in regions under a greater far-UV radiation density.

We present a two-epoch Hubble Space Telescope study of NGC 2071 IR highlighting HOPS 361-C, a protostar producing an arced 0.2 parsec-scale jet. The proper motions for the brightest knots decrease from 350 to 100 km s ^−1 with increasing distance from the source. The [Fe ii ] and Pa β emission line intensity ratio gives a velocity jump through each knot of 40–50 km s ^−1 . A new [O i ] 63 μ m spectrum, taken with the German REciever for Astronomy at Terahertz frequencies instrument aboard Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, shows a low line-of-sight velocity indicative of high jet inclination. Proper motions and jump velocities then estimate 3D flow speed for knots. Subsequently, we model knot positions and speeds with a precessing jet that decelerates. The measurements are matched with a precession period of 1000–3000 yr and half opening angle of 15°. The [Fe ii ] 1.26-to-1.64 μ m line intensity ratio determines visual extinction to each knot from 5 to 30 mag. Relative to ∼14 mag of extinction through the cloud from C ^18 O emission maps, the jet is embedded at a 1/5–4/5 fractional cloud depth. Our model suggests the jet is dissipated over a 0.2 pc arc. This short distance may result from the jet sweeping through a wide angle, allowing the cloud time to fill cavities opened by the jet. Precessing jets contrast with nearly unidirectional protostellar jets that puncture host clouds and can propagate significantly farther.

The paper presents an analysis of multiwavelength data of a nearby star-forming site, the IC 5146 dark streamer ( d ∼ 600 pc), which has been treated as a single and long filament, fl . Two hub-filament systems (HFSs) are known to exist toward the eastern and the western ends of fl . Earlier published results favor simultaneous evidence of HFSs and end-dominated collapse (EDC) in fl . A Herschel column density map (resolution ∼13.″5) reveals two intertwined sub-filaments (i.e., fl-A and fl-B ) toward fl , displaying a nearly double helix-like structure. This picture is also supported by the C ^18 O(3–2) emission. The fray and fragment scenario may explain the origin of intertwined sub-filaments. In the direction of fl , two cloud components around 2 and 4 km s ^−1 are depicted using ^13 CO(1–0) and C ^18 O(1–0) emission and are connected in velocity space. The HFSs are spatially found at the overlapping areas of these cloud components and can be explained by the cloud–cloud collision scenario. Nonthermal gas motion in fl with a larger Mach number is found. The magnetic field position angle measured from the filament’s long axis shows a linear trend along the filament. This signature is confirmed in the other nearby EDC filaments, presenting a more quantitative confirmation of the EDC scenario. Based on our observational outcomes, we witness multiple processes operational in the IC 5146 streamer. Overall, the streamer can be recognized as the first reliable candidate for edge collapse, HFSs, and intertwined sub-filaments.

Photodissociation regions (PDRs) illuminated by high temperature ( T > 10 ^4 K) radiation fields display characteristic optical to midinfrared spectral features: emission bands that cluster around the blue limits of hydrogen series, an extended red emission (ERE) in the vicinity of H α , and a continuum in the infrared part of the spectrum only. The spectral footprint of ERE and its intensity at maximum unequivocally designate Raman scattering by hydrogen of photons near Ly β as responsible for the feature, thus suggesting PDR spectra be considered Raman spectra. This finding challenges the currently accepted hypothesis that yet-to-be-identified complex carbonaceous molecules, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are the source of PDRs’ unidentified infrared bands. It has, therefore, significant implications for the field of astrochemistry.

We have analyzed the thermal and turbulent properties of the low-latitude intermediate-velocity Arch 1 (LLIV1). This was accomplished using archival H i emission and absorption data from two 21 cm line surveys: GHIGLS at 9.′4 resolution and DHIGLS at $1^{\prime} $ resolution. The spectral decomposition code ROHSA was used to model the column density of different thermal phases and also to analyze an absorption measurement against the radio source 4C +66.09. From the latter, we found spin temperature T _s ∼ 75 K, cold gas mass fraction f ∼ 0.5, and turbulent sonic Mach number M _t ∼ 3.4. Similar to the absorption line modeling against 4C +66.09, our best emission line decomposition model has no unstable gas across the whole field of view, suggesting that the thermal condensation and phase transition are not ongoing but rather have reached an equilibrium state. The cold phase of LLIV1 appears as a collection of elongated filaments that forms a closed structure within the field decomposed. These substructures follow the orientation of the overall large-scale cloud, along the diagonal of the GHIGLS field from northwest to southeast (in Galactic coordinates). The angular power spectrum of the cold phase is slightly shallower than that of the warm phase, quantifying that the cold phases have relatively more structure on small scales. Our spatially resolved map of the cold gas mass fraction in LLIV1 from DHIGLS reveals significant variations spanning the possible range of f , with a mean and standard deviation of 0.33 and 0.19, respectively.

Emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a promising tool for estimating star formation rate (SFR) in galaxies, but the origin of its sources of excitation, which include not only young but possibly also old stars, remains uncertain. We analyze Spitzer mid-infrared mapping-mode spectroscopic observations of the nuclear and extranuclear regions of 33 nearby galaxies to study the contribution of evolved stars to PAH emission. In combination with photometric measurements derived from ultraviolet, H α , and infrared images, the spatially resolved spectral decomposition enables us to characterize the PAH emission, SFR, and stellar mass of the sample galaxies on subkiloparsec scales. We demonstrate that the traditional empirical correlation between PAH luminosity and SFR has a secondary dependence on specific SFR, or, equivalently, stellar mass. Ultraviolet-faint regions with lower specific SFRs and hence a greater fraction of evolved stars emit stronger PAH emission at fixed SFR than ultraviolet-bright regions. We reformulate the PAH-based SFR estimator by explicitly introducing stellar mass as a second parameter to account for the contribution of evolved stars to PAH excitation. The influence of evolved stars can explain the sublinear correlation between PAH emission and SFR, and it can partly account for the PAH deficit in dwarf galaxies and low-metallicity environments.

The study of the interaction between ionized jets, molecular outflows, and their environments is critical to understanding high-mass star formation, especially because jets and outflows are thought to be key in the transfer of angular momentum outward from accretion disks. We report a low spectral resolution Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) survey for OH, NH _3 , CH _3 OH, and hydrogen radio recombination lines, toward a sample of 58 high-mass star-forming regions that contain numerous ionized jet candidates. The observations are from a survey designed to detect radio continuum; the novel aspect of this work is to search for spectral lines in broadband VLA data (we provide the script developed in this work to facilitate exploration of other data sets). We report detection of 25 GHz CH _3 OH transitions toward 10 sources; 5 of them also show NH _3 emission. We found that most of the sources detected in CH _3 OH and NH _3 have been classified as ionized jets or jet candidates and that the emission lines are coincident with, or very near (≲0.1 pc), these sources; hence, these molecular lines could be used as probes of the environment near the launching site of jets/outflows. No radio recombination lines were detected, but we found that the rms noise of stacked spectra decreases following the radiometer equation. Therefore, detecting radio recombination lines in a sample of brighter free–free continuum sources should be possible. This work demonstrates the potential of broadband VLA continuum observations as low resolution spectral-line scans.