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Related Experiment Videos

A Submillimeter HCN Laser in IRC +10216.

Schilke, Mehringer, Menten

    The Astrophysical Journal
    |December 10, 1999
    PubMed
    Summary

    We detected a powerful HCN laser line from the carbon star IRC +10216. This emission originates from the star's inner region, offering insights into its circumstellar envelope and dust formation.

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    Area of Science:

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Astrochemistry
    • Spectroscopy

    Background:

    • Carbon stars like IRC +10216 possess complex circumstellar envelopes.
    • Vibrationally excited molecular lines, such as those from Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN), are crucial for understanding these envelopes.
    • Laser and maser emissions from molecules in space provide unique probes of extreme physical conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To report the detection of a specific HCN laser line toward IRC +10216.
    • To investigate the origin and physical conditions of this laser emission within the circumstellar envelope.
    • To characterize the innermost regions of IRC +10216's envelope, including its dust formation radius.

    Main Methods:

    • Submillimeter-wavelength spectroscopy was used to detect the HCN laser line.
    • Observations of other thermally emitting, vibrationally excited HCN lines were conducted.
    • Analysis of line width and frequency was performed to infer physical conditions.

    Main Results:

    • A strong submillimeter-wavelength HCN laser line (J=9-8, (0400) state) was detected near 805 GHz toward IRC +10216.
    • The laser emission originates from the innermost region of the circumstellar envelope, at approximately 1000 K.
    • This region is located within the dust formation radius, as supported by the laser's line width.

    Conclusions:

    • The detected HCN laser line provides evidence for extreme conditions in IRC +10216's inner envelope.
    • The excitation mechanism might be chemical pumping, potentially similar to laboratory conditions.
    • This study highlights the role of vibrationally excited molecules in probing stellar envelopes.

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