Showing papers by "Mark J. Reid published in 2012"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions of five massive star-forming regions toward the Cygnus X complex and reported the following distances within a 10% accuracy: 1.30+0.12 −0.11 -0.
Abstract: Context. Whether the Cygnus X complex consists of one physically connected region of star formation or of multiple independent regions projected close together on the sky has been debated for decades. The main reason for this puzzling scenario is the lack of trustworthy distance measurements.Aims. We aim to understand the structure and dynamics of the star-forming regions toward Cygnus X by accurate distance and proper motion measurements.Methods. To measure trigonometric parallaxes, we observed 6.7 GHz methanol and 22 GHz water masers with the European VLBI Network and the Very Long Baseline Array.Results. We measured the trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions of five massive star-forming regions toward the Cygnus X complex and report the following distances within a 10% accuracy: 1.30+0.07 -0.07 kpc for W 75N, 1.46+0.09 -0.08 kpc for DR 20, 1.50+0.08 -0.07 kpc for DR 21, 1.36+0.12 -0.11 kpc for IRAS 20290+4052, and 3.33+0.11 -0.11 kpc for AFGL 2591. While the distances of W 75N, DR 20, DR 21, and IRAS 20290+4052 are consistent with a single distance of 1.40 ± 0.08 kpc for the Cygnus X complex, AFGL 2591 is located at a much greater distance than previously assumed. The space velocities of the four star-forming regions in the Cygnus X complex do not suggest an expanding Stromgren sphere.
303 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple and symmetric kinematic model was applied to the trajectories of two-sided radio and X-ray jets, and the inclination angle of the jets, 75?? 3?.
Abstract: During its 2003 outburst, the black hole X-ray transient H1743-322 produced two-sided radio and X-ray jets. Applying a simple and symmetric kinematic model to the trajectories of these jets, we determine the source distance, 8.5 ? 0.8?kpc, and the inclination angle of the jets, 75? ? 3?. Using these values, we estimate the spin of the black hole by fitting its Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer spectra, obtained during the 2003 outburst, to a standard relativistic accretion-disk model. For its spin, we find a * = 0.2 ? 0.3 (68% limits), ?0.3 < a * < 0.7 at 90% confidence. We strongly rule against an extreme value of spin: a * < 0.92 at 99.7% confidence. H1743-322 is the third known microquasar (after A0620-00 and XTE?J1550-564) that displays large-scale ballistic jets and has a moderate value of spin. Our result, which depends on an empirical distribution of black hole masses, takes into account all known sources of measurement error.
124 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported initial observations of water masers in an accretion disk of a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy UGC 3789, which gave an angular-diameter distance to the galaxy and an estimate of Ho with 16% uncertainty.
Abstract: In Papers I and II from the Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP), we reported initial observations of water masers in an accretion disk of a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy UGC 3789, which gave an angular-diameter distance to the galaxy and an estimate of Ho with 16% uncertainty. We have since conducted more VLBI observations of the spatial-velocity structure of these water masers, as well as continued monitoring of its spectrum to better measure maser accelerations. These more extensive observations, combined with improved modeling of the masers in the accretion disk of the central supermassive black hole, confirm our previous results, but with signifcantly improved accuracy. We find Ho = 68.9 +/- 7.1 km/s/Mpc; this estimate of Ho is independent of other methods and is accurate to +/-10%, including sources of systematic error. This places UGC 3789 at a distance of 49.6 +/- 5.1 Mpc, with a central supermassive black hole of (1.16 +/- 0.12) x 10^7 Msun.
96 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured a trigonometric parallax of 0.53 to be alpha(J2000) = 07(h)22(m)58.(s)3259 +/- 0.0007, delta(J 2000) =-25 degrees 46'03''063 +/- 0.''010.
Abstract: We report astrometric results of phase-referencing very long baseline interferometry observations of 43 GHz SiO maser emission toward the red hypergiant VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa) using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). We measured a trigonometric parallax of 0.83 +/- 0.08 mas, corresponding to a distance of 1.20(-0.10)(+0.13) kpc. Compared to previous studies, the spatial distribution of SiO masers has changed dramatically, while its total extent remains similar. The internal motions of the maser spots are up to 1.4 mas yr(-1), corresponding to 8 km s(-1), and show a tendency for expansion. After modeling the expansion of maser spots, we derived an absolute proper motion for the central star of mu(x) =-2.8 +/- 0.2 and mu(y) = 2.6 +/- 0.2 mas yr(-1) eastward and northward, respectively. Based on the maser distribution from the VLBA observations, and the relative position between the radio photosphere and the SiO maser emission at 43 GHz from the complementary Very Large Array observations, we estimate the absolute position of VY CMa at mean epoch 2006.53 to be alpha(J2000) = 07(h)22(m)58.(s)3259 +/- 0.(s)0007, delta(J2000) =-25 degrees 46'03.''063 +/- 0.''010. The position and proper motion of VY CMa from the VLBA observations differ significantly with values measured by the Hipparcos satellite. These discrepancies are most likely associated with inhomogeneities and dust scattering the optical light in the circumstellar envelope. The absolute proper motion measured with VLBA suggests that VY CMa may be drifting out of the giant molecular cloud to the east of it.
91 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the direct measurement of the Hubble constant for NGC 6264 using the H$2}$O megamaser technique, which is based on sensitive observations of the circumnuclear disk from four observations with the Very Long Baseline Array, the Green Bank Telescope and the Effelsberg Telescope.
Abstract: We present the direct measurement of the Hubble constant, yielding the direct measurement of the angular-diameter distance to NGC 6264 using the H$_{2}$O megamaser technique. Our measurement is based on sensitive observations of the circumnuclear megamaser disk from four observations with the Very Long Baseline Array, the Green Bank Telescope and the Effelsberg Telescope. We also monitored the maser spectral profile for 2.3 years using the Green Bank Telescope to measure accelerations of maser lines by tracking their line-of-sight velocities as they change with time. The measured accelerations suggest that the systemic maser spots have a significantly wider radial distribution than in the archetypal megamaser in NGC 4258. We model the maser emission as arising from a circumnuclear disk with orbits dominated by the central black hole. The best fit of the data gives a Hubble constant of $H_{0} =$ 68$\pm$9 km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$, which corresponds to an angular-diameter distance of 144$\pm$19 Mpc. In addition, the fit also gives a mass of the central black hole of (3.09$\pm$0.42)$\times10^{7}$ $M_{\odot}$. The result demonstrates the feasibility of measuring distances to galaxies located well into the Hubble flow by using circumnuclear megamaser disks.
71 citations
TL;DR: Very large array observations of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 at 7 mm wavelength with 40 milli-arcsec resolution resolve the object's radio emission, which forms an almost round uniform disk of 83 mm diameter, corresponding to 11 AU.
Abstract: Very Large Array observations of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 at 7 mm wavelength with 40 milli-arcsec resolution resolve the object’s radio emission, which forms an almost round uniform disk of 83 milli-arcsec diameter, corresponding to 11 AU (for an assumed distance of 130 pc). We find a brightness temperature of 1630 K for the radio photosphere. Since the emission is optically thick, we can directly estimate IRC+10216’s average luminosity, which is 8600 L ⊙ . This value is in excellent agreement with what is predicted from the period-luminosity relation for carbon-rich Miras. Assuming an effective temperature of 2750 K for IRC+10216, it implies an optical photospheric diameter of 3.8 AU. Our precise determination of IRC+10216’s proper motion fits the picture presented by far-ultraviolet and far-infrared wavelength observations of its interaction region with the interstellar medium (its “astrosphere”): the star moves roughly in the direction expected from the morphology of the termination shock and its astrotail structures. Calculation of its three dimensional velocity and an analysis of the kinematics of its surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) suggest an appreciable relative velocity of 42 km s-1 , which is about half the value discussed in recent studies. This suggests a lower (time-averaged) mass loss rate and/or a higher ISM density than previously assumed.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed study of the water maser kinematics and radio continuum emission toward the most massive and young object in the star-forming region AFGL 2591 is presented.
Abstract: We report on a detailed study of the water maser kinematics and radio continuum emission toward the most massive and young object in the star-forming region AFGL 2591. Our analysis shows at least two spatial scales of multiple star formation, one projected across 0.1 pc on the sky and another one at about 2000 AU from a ZAMS star of about 38 M ☉. This young stellar object drives a powerful jet- and wind-driven outflow system with the water masers associated to the outflow walls, previously detected as a limb-brightened cavity in the NIR band. At about 1300 AU to the north of this object a younger protostar drives two bow shocks, outlined by arc-like water maser emission, at 200 AU either side of the source. We have traced the velocity profile of the gas that expands along these arc-like maser structures and compared it with the jet-driven outflow model. This analysis suggests that the ambient medium around the northern protostar is swept up by a jet-driven shock (>66 km s–1) and perhaps a lower-velocity (~10 km s–1) wind with an opening angle of about 20° from the jet axis.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a trigonometric parallax measurement with the Very Long Baseline Array for the water maser in the distant high-mass star-forming region G75.30+1.32 is reported.
Abstract: We report a trigonometric parallax measurement with the Very Long Baseline Array for the water maser in the distant high-mass star-forming region G75.30+1.32. This source has a heliocentric distance of 9.25(-0.40)(+0.45) kpc, which places it in the Outer arm in the first Galactic quadrant. It lies 200 pc above the Galactic plane and is associated with a substantial H i enhancement at the border of a large molecular cloud. At a Galactocentric radius of 10.7 kpc, G75.30+1.32 is in a region of the Galaxy where the disk is significantly warped toward the North Galactic Pole. While the star-forming region has an instantaneous Galactic orbit that is nearly circular, it displays a significant motion of 18 km s(-1) toward the Galactic plane. The present results, when combined with two previous maser studies in the Outer arm, yield a pitch angle of about 12 degrees for a large section of the arm extending from the first quadrant to the third.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the red hypergiant NML Cyg has been assumed to be at part of the Cyg OB2 association, although its distance has never been measured directly.
Abstract: Context. The red hypergiant NML Cyg has been assumed to be at part of the Cyg OB2 association, although its distance has never been measured directly. A reliable distance is crucial to study the properties of this prominent star. For example, its luminosity, and hence its position on the H-R diagram, is critical information to determine its evolutionary status. In addition, a detection of the radio photosphere would be complementary to other methods of determining the stellar size.
42 citations
TL;DR: Very large array observations of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 at 7 mm wavelength with 40 milli-arcsecond resolution resolve the object's radio emission, which forms an almost round uniform disk of 83 milli arcseconds diameter, corresponding to 11 AU.
Abstract: Very Large Array observations of the extreme carbon star IRC+10216 at 7 mm wavelength with 40 milli-arcsecond resolution resolve the object's radio emission, which forms an almost round uniform disk of 83 milli arcseconds diameter, corresponding to 11 AU (for an assumed distance of 130 pc). We find a brightness temperature of 1630 K for the radio photosphere. Since the emission is optically thick, we can directly estimate IRC+10216's average luminosity, which is 8600 L(Sun). This value is in excellent agreement with what is predicted from the period-luminosity relation for carbon-rich Miras. Assuming an effective temperature of 2750 K for IRC+10216, it implies an optical photospheric diameter of 3.8 AU. Our precise determination of IRC+10216's proper motion fits the picture presented by far-ultraviolet and far-infrared wavelength observations of its interaction region with the interstellar medium (its "astrosphere"): the star moves roughly in the direction expected from the morphology of the termination shock and its astrotail structures. Calculation of its three dimensional velocity and an analysis of the kinematics of its surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) suggest an appreciable relative velocity of 42 km s/s, which is about half the value discussed in recent studies. This suggests a lower (time-averaged) mass loss rate and/or a higher ISM density than previously assumed.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a measurement of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation field, T_CMB, at z = 0.88582 by imaging HC3N (3-2) and (5-4) absorption in the foreground galaxy of the gravitationally lens magnified radio source PKS 1830-211 using the Very Long Baseline Array and the phased Very Large Array was reported.
Abstract: We report on a measurement of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation field, T_CMB, at z = 0.88582 by imaging HC3N (3-2) and (5-4) absorption in the foreground galaxy of the gravitationally lens magnified radio source PKS 1830-211 using the Very Long Baseline Array and the phased Very Large Array. Low-resolution imaging of the data yields a value of Trot = 5.6+2.5-0.9 K, for the rotational temperature, Trot, which is consistent with the temperature of the cosmic microwave background at the absorber's redshift of 2.73(1+z) K. However, our high-resolution imaging reveals that the absorption peak position of the foreground gas is offset from the continuum peak position of the synchrotron radiation from PKS 1830-211 SW, which indicates that the absorbing cloud is covering only part of the emission from PKS 1830-211, rather than the entire core-jet region. This changes the line-to-continuum ratios, and we find Trot between 1.1 and 2.5 K, which is lower than the expected value. This shows that previous, Trot, measurements could be biased due to unresolved structure.
23 Feb 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an update on the first results, implementing a recent change in the knowledge about the Solar motion, and give an outlook to future observations in the Bar and Spiral Structure Legacy (BeSSeL) survey.
Abstract: Astrometric Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of maser sources in the Milky Way are used to map the spiral structure of our galaxy and to determine fundamental parameters such as the rotation velocity (Theta(0)) and curve and the distance to the Galactic center (R-0). Here, we present an update on our first results, implementing a recent change in the knowledge about the Solar motion. It seems unavoidable that the IAU recommended values for R0 and Theta(0) need a substantial revision. In particular the combination of 8.5 kpc and 220 km s(-1) can be ruled out with high confidence. Combining the maser data with the distance to the Galactic center from stellar orbits and the proper motion of Sgr A* gives best values of R-0 = 8.3 +/- 0.23 kpc and Theta(0) = 239 or 246 +/- 7 km s(-1), for Solar motions of V-circle dot = 12.23 and 5.25 km s(-1), respectively. Finally, we give an outlook to future observations in the Bar and Spiral Structure Legacy (BeSSeL) survey. (C) 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
01 Aug 2012
TL;DR: The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) as discussed by the authors is a systematic effort to discover suitable H2O megamasers and determine their distances, with the aim of measuring H0 to a few percent.
Abstract: To constrain models of dark energy, a precise measurement of the Hubble constant, H0, provides a powerful complement to observations of the cosmic microwave background. Recent, precise measurements of H0 have been based on the ‘extragalactic distance ladder,’ primarily using observations of Cepheid variables and Type Ia supernovae as standard candles. In the past, these methods have been limited by systematic errors, so independent methods of measuring H0 are of high value. Direct geometric distance measurements to circumnuclear H2O megamasers in the Hubble flow provide a promising new method to determine H0. The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) is a systematic effort to discover suitable H2O megamasers and determine their distances, with the aim of measuring H0 to a few percent. Based on observations of megamasers in UGC 3789 and NGC 6264, and preliminary results from Mrk 1419, the MCP has so far measured H0 = 68.0 ± 4.8 km s−1 Mpc−1. This measurement will improve as distances to additional galaxies are incorporated. With the Green Bank Telescope, we recently discovered three more excellent candidates for distance measurements, and we are currently acquiring data to measure their distances.
01 Aug 2012
TL;DR: The rotation curve of the Milky Way, based for the first time on the gold standard distances and complete 3D information, appears to be very flat as discussed by the authors, which is the case for the entire galaxy.
Abstract: Recently, astrometric accuracy approaching ~ 10 μas has become routinely possible with Very Long Baseline Interferometry. Since, unlike at optical wavelengths, interstellar dust is transparent at radio wavelengths, parallaxes and proper motions can now be measured for massive young stars (with maser emission) across the Galaxy, enabling direct measurements of the spiral structure of the Milky Way. Fitting the full 3D position and velocity vectors to a simple model of the Galaxy yields extremely accurate values for its fundamental parameters, including the distance to the Galactic Center, R0=8.38 ± 0.18 kpc, and circular rotation at the Solar Circle, Θ0 = 243 ± 7 km s−1. The rotation curve of the Milky Way, based for the first time on ‘gold standard’ distances and complete 3D information, appears to be very flat.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented the preliminary results from a new maser system, Mrk 1419, assuming a narrow ring, and combining these results with the acceleration measurement from the Green Bank Telescope, they determined a distance to Mrk1419 of 81 ± 10 Mpc.
Abstract: Water vapor megamasers from the center of active galaxies provide a powerful tool to trace accretion disks at sub-parsec resolution and, through an entirely geometrical method, measure direct distances to galaxies up to 200 Mpc. The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) is formed by a team of astronomers with the aim of identifying new maser systems, and mapping their emission at high angular resolution to determine their distance. Two types of observations are necessary to measure a distance: single-dish monitoring to measure the acceleration of gas in the disk, and sensitive VLBI imaging to measure the angular size of the disk, measure the rotation curve, and model radial displacement of the maser feature. The ultimate goal of the MCP is to make a precise measurement of H0 by measuring such distances to at least 10 maser galaxies in the Hubble flow. We present here the preliminary results from a new maser system, Mrk 1419. Through a model of the rotation from the systemic masers assuming a narrow ring, and combining these results with the acceleration measurement from the Green Bank Telescope, we determine a distance to Mrk 1419 of 81 ± 10 Mpc. Given that the disk shows a significant warp that may not be entirely traced by our current observations, more sensitive observations and more sophisticated disk modeling will be essential to improve our distance estimation to this galaxy.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a review summarizes current advances in astrometry of masers as they pertain to large-scale Galactic structure and dynamics and Local Group cosmology and provides the gold standard distances and 3D velocities for sources across the Milky Way, revealing its spiral structure.
Abstract: This review summarizes current advances in astrometry of masers as they pertain to large-scale Galactic structure and dynamics and Local Group cosmology. Parallaxes and proper motions have now been measured for more than 60 massive star forming regions using the Japanese VERA array, the EVN and the VLBA. These results provide “gold standard” distances and 3-dimensional velocities for sources across the Milky Way, revealing its spiral structure. Modeling these data tightly constrains the fundamental parameters of the Milky Way: R0 and Θ0. Proper motions of Local Group galaxies have been measured, improving our understanding of the history and fate of the Group.
TL;DR: In this paper, a trigonometric parallax distance to the Pleiades is derived using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and the distance to Hipparcos is investigated.
Abstract: The Pleiades is the best studied open cluster in the sky. It is one of the primary open clusters used to define the `zero-age main sequence,' and hence it serves as a cornerstone for programs which use main-sequence fitting to derive distances. This role is called into question by the `Pleiades distance controversy' - the distance to the Pleiades from Hipparcos of approximately 120 pc is significantly different from the distance of 133 pc derived from other techniques. To resolve this issue, we plan to use Very Long Baseline Interferometry to derive a new, independent trigonometric parallax distance to the Pleiades. In these proceedings we present our observational program and report some preliminary results.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the trigonometric parallax of W51 Main/South to be 0.185 ± 0.010 mas, corresponding to a distance of 5.41+0.28 kpc.
Abstract: Abstract We report on high-resolution astrometry of 22 GHz H2O maser emission in the Galactic massive star-forming region W51 Main/South using the Very Long Baseline Array. We measured the trigonometric parallax of W51 Main/South to be 0.185 ± 0.010 mas, corresponding to a distance of 5.41+0.31−0.28 kpc. The H2O maser emission in W51 Main/South traces four powerful bipolar outflows within a 0.4 pc size region, three of which are associated with dusty molecular hot cores and/or hyper- or ultra-compact Hii regions. The maser outflows in W51 Main/South have a relatively small range of internal 3D speeds, suggesting that multiple speed maser outflows in other Galactic massive star-forming regions may come from separate young stellar objects closely spaced on the sky.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented the preliminary results from a new maser system, Mrk 1419, assuming a narrow ring, and combining these results with the acceleration measurement from the Green Bank Telescope, they determined a distance to Mrk1419 of 81.10 Mpc.
Abstract: Water vapor megamasers from the center of active galaxies provide a powerful tool to trace accretion disks at sub-parsec resolution and, through an entirely geometrical method, measure direct distances to galaxies up to 200 Mpc. The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) is formed by a team of astronomers with the aim of identifying new maser systems, and mapping their emission at high angular resolution to determine their distance. Two types of observations are necessary to measure a distance: single-dish monitoring to measure the acceleration of gas in the disk, and sensitive VLBI imaging to measure the angular size of the disk, measure the rotation curve, and model radial displacement of the maser feature. The ultimate goal of the MCP is to make a precise measurement of H0 by measuring such distances to at least 10 maser galaxies in the Hubble flow. We present here the preliminary results from a new maser system, Mrk 1419. Through a model of the rotation from the systemic masers assuming a narrow ring, and combining these results with the acceleration measurement from the Green Bank Telescope, we determine a distance to Mrk 1419 of 81\pm10 Mpc. Given that the disk shows a significant warp that may not be entirely traced by our current observations, more sensitive observations and more sophisticated disk modeling will be essential to improve our distance estimation to this galaxy.
01 Aug 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a trigonometric parallax distance to the Pleiades is derived using Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and the distance to Hipparcos is investigated.
Abstract: The Pleiades is the best studied open cluster in the sky. It is one of the primary open clusters used to define the `zero-age main sequence,' and hence it serves as a cornerstone for programs which use main-sequence fitting to derive distances. This role is called into question by the `Pleiades distance controversy' - the distance to the Pleiades from Hipparcos of approximately 120 pc is significantly different from the distance of 133 pc derived from other techniques. To resolve this issue, we plan to use Very Long Baseline Interferometry to derive a new, independent trigonometric parallax distance to the Pleiades. In these proceedings we present our observational program and report some preliminary results.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors obtained an annual parallax of 0.62 ± 0.04 mas, corresponding to a distance of 1.61+0.13−0.11 kpc.
Abstract: Abstract We present astrometric results of phase-referencing VLBI observations of 22 GHz H2O maser and 43 GHz SiO maser emission towards the red hypergiant NML Cyg using VLBA. We obtained an annual parallax of 0.62 ± 0.04 mas, corresponding to a distance of 1.61+0.13−0.11 kpc. With a VLA observation in its largest (A) configuration at 43 GHz, we barely resolve the radio photosphere of NML Cyg, and find a uniform-disk diameter of 44 ± 16 mas.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The massive star forming complex W33 as mentioned in this paper contains several molecular clouds at different stages of star formation activity, ranging from quiescent to highly active clouds, and all water masers have the same distance of 2.4 kpc.
Abstract: The massive star forming complex W33 contains several molecular clouds at different stages of star formation activity, ranging from quiescent to highly active clouds. Our trigonometric parallax observations of water masers in this complex, conducted with the VLBA at 22.2 GHz, show that all water masers have the same distance of 2.4 kpc, locating the W33 complex in the Sagittarius spiral arm.
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: Due to their compactness, persistence and slow motion, Class II CH3OH masers are excellent targets for parallax and proper motion measurements for massive star-forming regions in the Galactic Disk as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Due to their compactness, persistence and slow motion, Class II CH3OH masers are excellent targets for parallax and proper motion measurements for massive star-forming regions in the Galactic Disk. These measurements can be used to improve our understanding of the spiral structure and dynamics of the Milky Way. At the same time, Class II CH3OH masers can also be used to study gas kinematics close to the exciting star, tracing rotation, infall and/or outflow motions