EPoS Contribution
EPoS Contribution
Interferometric Observations and Modeling of the Envelope around Class 0 Protostars

Hsin-Fang Chiang
Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
We present dual-wavelength modeling of the circumstellar envelope around nearby Class 0 protostars using multi-configuration observations of the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy. Radiative transfer modeling is performed to compare the dust continuum data at 1 and 3 mm with theoretical envelope models; Bayesian inference and information criteria are applied for parameter estimation and model selection. In particular, we focus on the edge-on Class 0 object L1157-mm, and consider a power-law envelope model and the Terebey-Shu-Cassen model. The results infer a steep density profile for the envelope, and prefer the power-law envelope model against the Terebey-Shu-Cassen model. Moreover, the dust opacity spectral index (beta) is estimated to be ~0.9, implying that grain growth has started at L1157-mm. Also, the unresolved disk component is constrained to be smaller than ~40 AU in radius and ~4-25 Jupiter mass. However, the estimate of the embedded disk component heavily relies on the assumed envelope model as well as the assumed disk characteristics.
Collaborators:
L. Looney, Univ. Illinois, USA
J. Tobin, NRAO, USA