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Charnley, S. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Charnley, S. B..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2020

Unusually High CO Abundance of the First Active Interstellar Comet

Comets spend most of their lives at large distances from any star, during which time their interior compositions remain relatively unaltered. Cometary observations can therefore provide direct insight into the chemistry that occurred during their birth at the time of planet formation. To-date, there have been no confirmed observations of parent volatiles (gases released directly from the nucleus) of a comet from any planetary system other than our own. Here we present high-resolution, interferometric observations of 2I/Borisov, the first confirmed interstellar comet, obtained using the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimeter Array (ALMA) on 15th-16th December 2019. Our observations reveal emission from hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and carbon monoxide (CO), coincident with the expected position of 2I/Borisov’s nucleus, with production rates Q(HCN) = (7.0 ± 1.1) x 10(exp 23)/s and Q(CO) = (4.4 ± 0.7) x 10(exp 26)/s. While the HCN abundance relative to water (0.06–0.16%) appears similar to that of typical, previously observed comets in our Solar System, the abundance of CO (35–105%) is among the highest observed in any comet within 2 au of the Sun. This shows that 2I/Borisov must have formed in a relatively CO-rich environment — probably beyond the CO ice-line in the very cold, outer regions of a distant protoplanetary accretion disk, as part of a population of small, icy bodies analogous to our Solar System’s own proto-Kuiper Belt.

Cordiner, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Confirming Interstellar C60(+) Using the Hubble Space Telescope

Recent advances in laboratory spectroscopy lead to the claim of ionized Buckminsterfullerene (C60(+)) as the carrier of two diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in the near-infrared. However, irrefutable identification of interstellar C60(+) requires a match between the wavelengths and the expected strengths of all absorption features detectable in the laboratory and in space. Here we present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectra of the region covering the C60(+) 9348, 9365, 9428, and 9577 Å absorption bands toward seven heavily reddened stars. We focus in particular on searching for the weaker laboratory C60(+) bands, the very presence of which has been a matter for recent debate. Using the novel STIS-scanning technique to obtain ultra-high signal-to-noise spectra without contamination from telluric absorption that afflicted previous ground-based observations, we obtained reliable detections of the (weak) 9365, 9428 Å and (strong) 9577 Å C60(+) bands. The band wavelengths and strength ratios are sufficiently similar to those determined in the latest laboratory experiments that we consider this the first robust identification of the 9428 Å band, and a conclusive confirmation of interstellar C60(+).

Cordiner, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Origin of Titan's External Oxygen: Further Constraints from ALMA Upper Limits on CS and CH2NH

Titan's atmospheric inventory of oxygen compounds (H2O, CO2, CO) are thought to result from photochemistry acting on externally supplied oxygen species (O+, OH, H2O). These species potentially originate from two main sources: (1) cryogenic plumes from the active moon Enceladus and (2) micrometeoroid ablation. Enceladus is already suspected to be the major O+ source, which is required for CO creation. However, photochemical models also require H2O and OH influx to reproduce observed quantities of CO2 and H2O. Here, we exploit sulphur as a tracer to investigate the oxygen source because it has very different relative abundances in micrometeorites (S/O approx. 10(exp -2) and Enceladus' plumes (S/O approx. 10(exp -5). Photochemical models predict most sulphur is converted to CS in the upper atmosphere, so we use Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations at approx. 340 GHz to search for CS emission. We determined stringent CS 3 sigma stratospheric upper limits of 0.0074 ppb (uniform above 100 km) and 0.0256 ppb (uniform above 200 km). These upper limits are not quite stringent enough to distinguish between Enceladus and micrometeorite sources at the 3 sigma level and a contribution from micrometeorites cannot be ruled out, especially if external flux is toward the lower end of current estimates. Only the high flux micrometeorite source model of Hickson et al. can be rejected at 3 sigma. We determined a 3 sigma stratospheric upper limit for CH2NH of 0.35 ppb, which suggests cosmic rays may have a smaller influence in the lower stratosphere than predicted by some photochemical models. Disk-averaged C3H4 and C2H5CN profiles were determined and are consistent with previous ALMA and Cassini/CIRS measurements.

Teanby, N.A.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Interferometric Imaging of Titan's HC3N, H(13)CCCN, and HCCC(15)N

We present the first maps of cyanoacetylene isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere, including H(13)CCCN and HCCC(15)N, detected in the 0.9 mm band using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter array (ALMA) around the time of Titan's (southern winter) solstice in 2017 May. The first high-resolution map of HC3N in its v(sub 7) = 1 vibrationally excited state is also presented, revealing a unique snapshot of the global HC3N distribution, free from the strong optical depth effects that adversely impact the ground-state (v = 0) map. The HC3N emission is found to be strongly enhanced over Titan's south pole (by a factor of 5.7 compared to the north pole), consistent with rapid photochemical loss of HC3N from the summer hemisphere combined with production and transport to the winter pole since the 2015 April ALMA observations. The H(13)CCCN/HCCC(15)N flux ratio is derived at the southern HC3N peak, and implies an HC3N/HCCC(15)N ratio of 67 +/- 14. This represents a significant enrichment in 15N compared with Titan's main molecular nitrogen reservoir, which has a N-14/N-15 ratio of 167, and confirms the importance of photochemistry in determining the nitrogen isotopic ratio in Titan's organic inventory.

Cordiner, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Deep K-Band Observations of TMC-1 with the Green Bank Telescope: Detection of HC7O, Nondetection of HC11N, and a Search for New Organic Molecules

The 100-meter Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope K-band (KFPA) receiver was used to perform a high-sensitivity search for rotational emission lines from complex organic molecules in the cold interstellar medium toward TMC-1 (Taurus Molecular Cloud - cyanopolyyne peak), focussing on the identification of new carbon-chain-bearing species as well as molecules of possible prebiotic relevance. We report a detection of the carbon-chain oxide species HC7O and derive a column density of (7.8 plus or minus 0.9) times 10 (sup 11) per square centimeter. This species is theorized to form as a result of associative electron detachment reactions between oxygen atoms and C7H minus, and/or reaction of C6H2 plus with CO (followed by dissociative electron recombination). Upper limits are given for the related HC6O, C6O, and C7O molecules. In addition, we obtained the first detections of emission from individual (sup 13) C isotopologues of HC7N, and derive abundance ratios HC7N/HCCCC (sup 13) CCCN equal to 110 plus or minus 16 and HC7N/HCCCC (sup 13) CCCN equal to 96 plus or minus 11, indicative of significant (sup 13) C depletion in this species relative to the local interstellar elemental (sup 12) C divided by (sup 13) C ratio of 60-70. The observed spectral region covered two transitions of HC11N, but emission from this species was not detected, and the corresponding column density upper limit is 7.4 times 10 (sup 10) per square centimeter (at 95 percent confidence). This is significantly lower than the value of 2.8 times 10 (sup 11) per square centimeter previously claimed by Bell et al. and confirms the recent nondetection of HC11N in TMC-1 by Loomis et al. Upper limits were also obtained for the column densities of malononitrile and the nitrogen heterocycles quinoline, isoquinoline, and pyrimidine.

ISM: abundances, ISM: lines and bands, ISM: molecu↗
NASA NTRS2017

Revised Models of Interstellar Nitrogen Isotopic Fractionation

Nitrogen-bearing molecules in cold molecular clouds exhibit a range of isotopic fractionation ratios and these molecules may be the precursors of 15N enrichments found in comets and meteorites. Chemical model calculations indicate that atom-molecular ion and ion-molecule reactions could account for most of the fractionation patterns observed. However, recent quantum-chemical computations demonstrate that several of the key processes are unlikely to occur in dense clouds. Related model calculations of dense cloud chemistry show that the revised 15N enrichments fail to match observed values. We have investigated the effects of these reaction rate modifications on the chemical model of Wirstrom et al. (2012) for which there are significant physical and chemical differences with respect to other models. We have included 15N fractionation of CN in neutral-neutral reactions and also updated rate coefficients for key reactions in the nitrogen chemistry. We find that the revised fractionation rates have the effect of suppressing 15N enrichment in ammonia at all times, while the depletion is even more pronounced, reaching 14N/15N ratios of >2000. Taking the updated nitrogen chemistry into account, no significant enrichment occurs in HCN or HNC, contrary to observational evidence in dark clouds and comets, although the 14N/15N ratio can still be below 100 in CN itself. However, such low CN abundances are predicted that the updated model falls short of explaining the bulk 15N enhancements observed in primitive materials. It is clear that alternative fractionating reactions are necessary to reproduce observations, so further laboratory and theoretical studies are urgently needed.

Wirstrom, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Mapping Vinyl Cyanide and Other Nitriles in Titan's Atmosphere Using ALMA

Vinyl cyanide (C2H3CN) is theorized to form in Titan's atmosphere via high-altitude photochemistry and is of interest regarding the astrobiology of cold planetary surfaces due to its predicted ability to form cell membrane-like structures (azotosomes) in liquid methane. In this work, we follow up on the initial spectroscopic detection of C2H3CN on Titan by Palmer et al. with the detection of three new C2H3CN rotational emission lines at submillimeter frequencies. These new, high-resolution detections have allowed for the first spatial distribution mapping of C2H3CN on Titan. We present simultaneous observations of C2H5CN, HC3N, and CH3CN emission, and obtain the first (tentative) detection of C3H8 (propane) at radio wavelengths. We present disk-averaged vertical abundance profiles, two-dimensional spatial maps, and latitudinal flux profiles for the observed nitriles. Similarly to HC3N and C2H5CN, which are theorized to be short-lived in Titan's atmosphere, C2H3CN is most abundant over the southern (winter) pole, whereas the longer-lived CH3CN is more concentrated in the north. This abundance pattern is consistent with the combined effects of high-altitude photochemical production, poleward advection, and the subsequent reversal of Titan's atmospheric circulation system following the recent transition from northern to southern winter. We confirm that C2H3CN and C2H5CN are most abundant at altitudes above 200 km. Using a 300 km step model, the average abundance of C2H3CN is found to be 3.03 +/- 0.29ppb, with a C2H5CN/C2H3CN abundance ratio of 2.43 +/- 0.26. Our HC3N and CH3CN spectra can be accurately modeled using abundance gradients above the tropopause, with fractional scale-heights of 2.05 +/- 0.16 and 1.63 +/- 0.02, respectively.

Lai, J. C.-Y.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Spatial Variations in Titan's Atmospheric Temperature: ALMA and Cassini Comparisons from 2012 to 2015

Submillimeter emission lines of carbon monoxide (CO) in Titan's atmosphere provide excellent probes of atmospheric temperature due to the molecule's long chemical lifetime and stable, well constrained volume mixing ratio. Here we present the analysis of 4 datasets obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 that contain strong CO rotational transitions. Utilizing ALMA's high spatial resolution in the 2012, 2014, and 2015 observations, we extract spectra from 3 separate regions on Titan's disk using datasets with beam sizes ranging from 0.35 ×0.28'' to 0.39 ×0.34''. Temperature profiles retrieved by the NEMESIS radiative transfer code are compared to Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) and radio occultation science results from similar latitude regions. Disk-averaged temperature profiles stay relatively constant from year to year, while small seasonal variations in atmospheric temperature are present from 2012 to 2015 in the stratosphere and mesosphere ( approx. 100-500 km) of spatially resolved regions. We measure the stratopause (320 km) to in- crease in temperature by 5 K in northern latitudes from 2012 to 2015, while temperatures rise throughout the stratosphere at lower latitudes. We observe generally cooler temperatures in the lower stratosphere ( approx. 100 km) than those obtained through Cassini radio occultation measurements, with the notable exception of warming in the northern latitudes and the absence of previous instabilities; both of these results are indicators that Titan's lower atmosphere responds to seasonal effects, particularly at higher latitudes. While retrieved temperature profiles cover a range of latitudes in these observations, deviations from CIRS nadir maps and radio occultation measurements convolved with the ALMA beam-footprint are not found to be statistically significant, and discrepancies are often found to be less than 5 K throughout the atmosphere. ALMA's excellent sensitivity in the lower stratosphere (60-300 km) provides a highly complementary dataset to contemporary CIRS and radio science observations, including altitude regions where both of those measurement sets contain large uncertainties. The demonstrated utility of CO emission lines in the submillimeter as a tracer of Titan's atmospheric temperature lays the groundwork for future studies of other molecular species -particularly those that exhibit strong polar abundance enhancements or are pressure-broadened in the lower atmosphere, as temperature profiles are found to consistently vary with latitude in all three years by up to 15 K.

Thelen, Alexander E.↗
NASA NTRS2017

ALMA Mapping of Rapid Gas and Dust Variations in Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON): New Insights into the Origin of Cometary HNC

Observations of the sungrazing comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) were carried out using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array at a heliocentric distance of 0.58-0.54 AU (Astronomical Units) (pre-perihelion) on 2013 November 16-17. Temporally resolved measurements of the coma distributions of HNC, CH3OH, H2CO, and dust were obtained over the course of about an hour on each day. During the period UT 10:10-11:00 on November 16, the comet displayed a remarkable drop in activity, manifested as a greater than 42 percent decline in the molecular line and continuum fluxes. The H2CO observations are consistent with an abrupt, approximately 50 percent reduction in the cometary gas production rate soon after the start of our observations. On November 17, the total observed fluxes remained relatively constant during a similar period, but strong variations in the morphology of the HNC distribution were detected as a function of time, indicative of a clumpy, intermittent outflow for this species. Our observations suggest that at least part of the detected HNC originated from degradation of nitrogen-rich organic refractory material, released intermittently from confined regions of the nucleus. By contrast, the distributions of CH3OH and H2CO during the November 17 observations were relatively uniform, consistent with isotropic outflow and stable activity levels for these species. These results highlight a large degree of variability in the production of gas and dust from comet ISON during its pre-perihelion outburst, consistent with repeated disruption of the nucleus interspersed with periods of relative quiescence.

techniques: interferometric↗
NASA NTRS2016

On the Nature of the Enigmatic Object IRAS 19312+1950: A Rare Phase of Massive Star Formation?

IRAS19312+1950 is a peculiar object that has eluded firm characterization since its discovery, with combined maser properties similar to an evolved star and a young stellar object (YSO). To help determine its true nature, we obtained infrared spectra of IRAS19312+1950 in the range 5-550 microns using the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories. The Herschel PACS maps exhibit a compact, slightly asymmetric continuum source at 170 microns, indicative of a large, dusty circumstellar envelope. The far-IR CO emission line spectrum reveals two gas temperature components: approx. = 0.22 Stellar Mass of material at 280+/-18 K, and ≈1.6 Me of material at 157+/-3 K. The OI 63 micron line is detected on-source but no significant emission from atomic ions was found. The HIFI observations display shocked, high-velocity gas with outflow speeds up to 90 km/s along the line of sight. From Spitzer spectroscopy, we identify ice absorption bands due to H2O at 5.8 microns and CO2 at 15 microns. The spectral energy distribution is consistent with a massive, luminous (approx. 2 × 10(exp 4) Stellar Luminosity) central source surrounded by a dense, warm circumstellar disk and envelope of total mass approx. 500-700 Stellar Mass with large bipolar outflow cavities. The combination of distinctive far-IR spectral features suggest that IRAS19312+1950 should be classified as an accreting, high-mass YSO rather than an evolved star. In light of this reclassification, IRAS19312+1950 becomes only the fifth high-mass protostar known to exhibit SiO maser activity, and demonstrates that 18 cm OH maser line ratios may not be reliable observational discriminators between evolved stars and YSOs.

ISM: molecules aEuro" masers aEuro" stars↗
NASA NTRS2016

Alma Observations of HCN and its Isotopologues on Titan

We present sub-millimeter spectra of HCN isotopologues on Titan, derived from publicly available ALMA flux calibration observations of Titan taken in early 2014. We report the detection of a new HCN isotopologue on Titan, H13C15N, and confirm an earlier report of detection of DCN. We model high signal-to-noise observations of HCN, H13CN, HC15N, DCN, and H13C15N to derive abundances and infer the following isotopic ratios: 12C/13C = 89.8 +/- 2.8, 14N/15N = 72.3 +/- 2.2, D/H = (2.5 +/- 0.2) × 10−4, and HCN/H13C15N = 5800 +/- 270 (1sigma errors). The carbon and nitrogen ratios are consistent with and improve on the precision of previous results, confirming a factor of approximately 2.3 elevation in 14N/15N in HCN compared to N2 and a lack of fractionation in 12C/13C from the protosolar value. This is the first published measurement of D/H in a nitrile species on Titan, and we find evidence for a factor of approximately 2 deuterium enrichment in hydrogen cyanide compared to methane. The isotopic ratios we derive may be used as constraints for future models to better understand the fractionation processes occurring in Titan's atmosphere.

Molter, Edward M.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Isotopic Ratios of Carbon and Oxygen in Titan's CO Using Alma

We report interferometric observations of carbon monoxide (CO) and its isotopologues in Titan's atmosphere using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The following transitions were detected: CO (J = 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C-13 O (J = 2-1, 3-2, 6-5), C-18 O (J = 2-1, 3-2), and C-17 O (J = 3-2). Molecular abundances and the vertical atmospheric temperature profile were derived by modeling the observed emission line profiles using NEMESIS, a line-by-line radiative transfer code. We present the first spectroscopic detection of O-17 in the outer solar system with C-17 O detected at greater than 8 sigma confidence. The abundance of CO was determined to be 49.6 +/- 1.8 ppm, assumed to be constant with altitude, with isotopic ratios C-12/C-13 = 89.9 +/- 3.4, O-16/O-18 = 486 +/- 22, and O-16/O-17 = 2917 +/- 359. The measurements of C-12/C-13 and O-16/O-18 ratios are the most precise values obtained in Titan's atmospheric CO to date. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies and suggest no significant deviations from standard terrestrial isotopic ratios.

Serigano, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS2015

The Evolution of Volatile Production in Comet C-2009 P1(Garradd) During its 2011-2012 Apparition

We report observations at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) from 2011 December 28 to 2012 April 24, using the Arizona Radio Observatory submillimeter telescope (SMT) and the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Garradd is a dynamically young long-period comet from the Oort Cloud, with a periodicity of 127,000 years, that reached perihelion on 2011 December 23 (at Heliocentric distance (Rh) = 1.55 Astronomical Units and delta = 20.1 Astronomical Units ) and made its closest approach to the Earth on 2012 March 05 (at Heliocentric distance (Rh) = 1.84 Astronomical Units and delta = 1.26 Astronomical Units). We obtained gas production rates, and molecular abundances relative to water for HCN, ortho-H2CO, CS, CO and CH3OH. A rotational temperature, T (sub rot) approximately equal to 50 degrees Kelvin, was determined by observing multiple methanol lines with the JCMT. By averaging the abundance ratio relative to water from the SMT and the JCMT we derive: CO: 7.03 plus or minus 1.84 percent, HCN: 0.04 plus or minus 0.01 percent, ortho H2CO: 0.14 plus or minus 0.03 percent as a parent molecule (and 0.28 plus or minus 0.06 percent as an extended source), CS: 0.03 plus or minus 0.01 percent and CH3OH: 3.11 for a range from plus 1:86 to minus 0.51 percent. We concluded that Garradd is normal in CH3OH, depleted in HCN, ortho-H2CO and CS and slightly enriched in CO with respect to typically observed cometary mixing ratios. We also studied the temporal evolution of HCN and CO and find that the production of HCN has a trend similar to water (but with short-term variation), with a decrease after perihelion, while that of CO shows contrary behavior: remaining constant or increasing after perihelion.

Comets: individual↗
NASA NTRS2014

Cold Water Vapor in the Barnard 5 Molecular Cloud

After more than 30 yr of investigations, the nature of gas-grain interactions at low temperatures remains an unresolved issue in astrochemistry. Water ice is the dominant ice found in cold molecular clouds; however, there is only one region where cold ((is) approximately 10 K) water vapor has been detected-L1544. This study aims to shed light on ice desorption mechanisms under cold cloud conditions by expanding the sample. The clumpy distribution of methanol in dark clouds testifies to transient desorption processes at work-likely to also disrupt water ice mantles. Therefore, the Herschel HIFI instrument was used to search for cold water in a small sample of prominent methanol emission peaks. We report detections of the ground-state transition of o-H2O (J = 110-101) at 556.9360 GHz toward two positions in the cold molecular cloud, Barnard 5. The relative abundances of methanol and water gas support a desorption mechanism which disrupts the outer ice mantle layers, rather than causing complete mantle removal.

ISM: molecules↗
NASA NTRS2013

On the Ubiquity of Molecular Anions in the Dense Interstellar Medium

Results are presented from a survey for molecular anions in seven nearby Galactic star-forming cores and molecular clouds. The hydrocarbon anion C6H(−) is detected in all seven target sources, including four sources where no anions have been previously detected: L1172, L1389, L1495B, and TMC-1C. The C6H(−) /C6H column density ratio is approx. > 1.0% in every source, with a mean value of 3.0% (and standard deviation 0.92%). Combined with previous detections, our results show that anions are ubiquitous in dense clouds wherever C6H is present. The C6H(−)/C6H ratio is found to show a positive correlation with molecular hydrogen number density, and with the apparent age of the cloud.We also report the first detection of C4H(−) in TMC-1 (at 4.8 sigma confidence), and derive an anion-to-neutral ratio C4H(−) /C4H = (1.2 +/- 0.4)×10(exp −5)(= 0.0012% +/- 0.0004%). Such a low value compared with C6H(−) highlights the need for a revised radiative electron attachment rate for C4H. Chemical model calculations show that the observed C4H(−) could be produced as a result of reactions of oxygen atoms with C5H(−) and C6H(−).

ISM↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Composition of Comet C/2009 PI (Garradd) from Infrared Spectroscopy: Evidence for an Oxygen-Rich Heritage?

Comets retain relatively primitive icy material remaining from the epoch of Solar System for111ation, however the extent to which their ices are modified remains a key question in cometary science. One way to address this is to measure the relative abundances of primary (parent) volatiles in comets (i.e., those ices native to the nucleus). High-resolution (lambda/delta lambda greater than 10(exp 4)) infrared spectroscopy is a powerful tool for measuring parent volatiles in comets through their vibrational emissions in the ~ 3-5 micrometer region. With modern instrumentation on worldclass telescopes, we can quantify a multitude of species (e.g., H2O, C2H2, CH4, C2H6 CO, H2CO, CH3OH, HCN, NH3), even in comets with modest gas production. In space environments, compounds of keen interest to astrobiology could originate from HCN and NH3 (leading to amino acids), H2CO (leading to sugars), or C2H6 and CH4 (suggested precursors of ethyl- and methylamine). Measuring the abundances of these precursor molecules and their variability among comets contributes to understanding the synthesis of the more complex prebiotic compounds.

DiSanti, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Volatile Fraction of Comets as Quantified at Infrared Wavelengths - An Emerging Taxonomy and Implications for Natal Heritage

It is relatively easy to identify the reservoir from which a given comet was ejected. But dynamical models demonstrate that the main cometary reservoirs (Kuiper Belt, Oort Cloud) each contain icy bodies that formed in a range of environments in the protoplanetary disk, and the Oort Cloud may even contain bodies that formed in disks of sibling stars in the Sun s birth cluster. The cometary nucleus contains clues to the formative region(s) of its individual components. The composition of ices and rocky grains reflect a range of processes experienced by material while on the journey from the natal interstellar cloud core to the cometary nucleus. For that reason, emphasis is placed on classifying comets according to their native ices and dust (rather than orbital dynamics). Mumma & Charnley [1] reviewed the current status of taxonomies for comets and relation to their natal heritage.

Mumma, M. J.↗