Models of Rotating Infall for the B335 Protostar

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal 2023-02, Vol.943 (2), p.90
• Main Authors: Evans II, Neal J., Yang, Yao-Lun, Green, Joel D., Zhao, Bo, Di Francesco, James, Lee, Jeong-Eun, Jørgensen, Jes K., Choi, Minho, Myers, Philip C., Mardones, Diego
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Constraint modelling; Continuum radiation; Interstellar clouds; Luminosity; Modelling; One dimensional models; Protostars; Radiative transfer; Radiative transfer models; Rotation; Star formation; Three dimensional models
• ISSN: 0004-637X; 1538-4357
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acaa38

Models of the protostellar source, B335, are developed using axisymmetric three-dimensional models to resolve conflicts found in one-dimensional models. The models are constrained by a large number of observations, including ALMA, Herschel, and Spitzer data. Observations of the protostellar source B335 with ALMA show redshifted absorption against a central continuum source indicative of infall in the HCO + and HCN J = 4 → 3 transitions. The data are combined with a new estimate of the distance to provide strong constraints to three-dimensional radiative transfer models including a rotating, infalling envelope, outflow cavities, and a very small disk. The models favor ages since the initiation of collapse between 3 × 10 4 and 4 × 10 4 yr for both the continuum and the lines, resolving a conflict found in one-dimensional models. The models underpredict the continuum emission seen by ALMA, suggesting an additional component such as a pseudo-disk. The best-fitting model is used to convert variations in the 4.5 μ m flux in recent years into a model for a variation of a factor of 5–7 in luminosity over the last 8 yr.