We present a progress report on HCN(1-0) line observations toward starless cores to probe inward motions. We have made a single pointing survey toward the central regions of 85 starless cores and performed mapping observations of 6 infall candidate starless cores. The distributions of the velocity difference between HCN(1-0) hyperfine lines and the optically thin tracer N2H+(1-0) are significantly skewed to the blue, meaning that HCN(1-0) frequently detects inward motions. Their skewness to the blue is even greater than that of CS(2-1) Lee et al., possibly implying more infall occurrence than CS(1-0). We identify 19 infall candidates by using several characteristics illustrating spectral infall asymmetry seen in HCN(1-0) hyperfine lines, CS(3-2), CS(2-1), DCO+(2-1) and N2H+ observations. The HCN(1-0) F(O-l) with the least optical depth usually shows a similar intensity distribution to that of N2H+ which closely traces the density distribution of the cores, indicating that HCN(1-0) is less chemically affected and so believed to reflect kinematics occurring in rather inner regions of the cores. Detailed radiative transfer model fits of the spectra are underway to analyze central infall kinematics in starless cores.
Molecular clouds present many levels of structure, including clumps and cores of varying size and density. We present a brief summary of these cores, describing their observed physical properties and their place in the star formation process. We conclude with some speculation about pre-proto-stellar stages of molecular cores and the observational challenges in their observation.
We present the first results of a wide field survey for planetary nebulae throughout M31 undertaken at the KPNO 0.9m telescope with the Mosaic camera. So far, images in [O III]⋋5007 and its continuum filter have been analyzed. Our survey appears to be at least 90% complete to about 2 mag below the peak of the planetary nebula luminosity function. Over 900 planetary nebulae candidates have been found within a 12 square degree area.
Chemical compositions of planetary nebulae are of interest for a study of the late stage of stellar evolution and for elemental contributions to the interstellar medium of reprocessed elements since possibly a large fraction of stars in 0.8 - 8 M⊙ range go through this stage. One of the methods for getting chemical composition is a construction of theoretical photoionization models, which involves geometrical complexities and a variety of physical processes. With modelling effort, one can analyze the high dispersion and find the elemental abundances for a number of planetary nebulae. The model also gives the physical parameter of planetary nebula and its central star physical parameter along with the knowledge of its evolutionary status. Two planetary nebulae, NGC 7026 and Hu 1-2, which could have evolved from about one solar mass progenitor stars, showed radically different chemical abundances: the former has high chemical abundances in most elements, while the latter has extremely low abundances. We discuss their significance in the light of the evolution of our Galaxy.
Optical imaging and spectroscopy of G353.2+0.9, the brightest part of the giant H II region NGC 6357, shows that this H II region is optically thin, contains "300 M⊙ of ionized gas and is probably expanding into the surrounding medium. Its chemical composition is similar to that found in other H II regions at similar galactocentric distances if temperature fluctuations are significant. The inner regions are probably made of thin shells and filaments, whereas extended slabs of material, maybe shells seen edge-on, are found in the periphery. The radio continuum and Hα emission maps are very similar, indicating that most of the optical nebula is not embedded in the denser regions traced by molecular gas and the presence of IR sources. About 1050 UV photons per second are required to produce the Hβ flux from the 1l.3'x10' region surrounding the Pis 24 cluster that is south of G353.2+0.9. Most of the energy powering this region is produced by the 03-7 stars in Pis 24. Most of the 2MASS sources in the field with large infrared excesses are within G353.2+0.9, indicating that the most recent star forming process occured within it. The formation of Pis 24 preceded and caused the formation of this new generation of stars and may be responsible for the present-day morphology of the entire NGC 6357 region.
Near-infrared imaging photometry supplemented by optical spectroscopy and narrow-band imaging of the H II region Sh 2-128 and its environment are presented. This region contains a developed H II region and the neighboring compact H II region S 128N associated with a pair of water maser sources. Midway between these, the core of a CO cloud is located. The principal ionizing source of Sh 2-128 is an 07 star close to its center. A new spectroscopic distance of 9.4 kpc is derived, very similar to the kinematic distance to the nebula. This implies a galactocentric distance of 13.5 kpc and z = 550 pc. The region is optically thin with abundances close to those predicted by galactocentric gradients. The JHK_s images show that S 128N contains several infrared point sources and nebular emission knots with large near-infrared excesses. One of the three red Ks knots coincides with the compact H II region. A few of the infrared-excess objects are close to known mid- and far-infrared emission peaks. Star counts in J and K_s show the presence of a small cluster of B-type stars, mainly associated with S 128N. The JHKs photometric properties together with the characteristics of the other objects in the vicinity suggest that Sh 2-128 and S 128N constitute a single complex formed from the same molecular cloud, with ages ~ 106 and < 3 X 105 years respectively. No molecular hydrogen emission was detected at 2.12 μm. The origin of this remote star forming region is an open problem.
The main sources of interstellar dust are believed to be dust envelopes around AGB stars. The outflowing envelopes around the long period pulsating variables are very suitable place for massive dust formation. Oxygen-rich silicate dust grains or carbon-rich dust grains form in the envelopes around AGB stars depending on the chemical composition of the stellar surface. The dust grains expelled from AGB stars get mixed up and go through some physical and chemical changes in interstellar medium. There are similarities and differences between interstellar dust and dust grains in AGB stars. The mass cycle in the Galaxy may be best manifested by the fact that the dust grains at various regions have many similarities and understandable differences.