Spectroscopic [CI] mapping of the infrared dark cloud G48.65-0.29

TL;DR

This study presents the first spectroscopic mapping of atomic carbon in an IRDC, revealing its spatial distribution, relation to other tracers, and the influence of external and internal UV irradiation on atomic carbon production.

Contribution

It provides the first spectroscopic [CI] map of an IRDC and analyzes the roles of internal and external UV irradiation in atomic carbon formation.

Findings

[CI] emission peaks at NIR point sources.

[CI]/13CO ratio around 0.3 with local variations.

Most [CI] emission due to external UV irradiation.

Abstract

We report the first spectroscopic mapping of an atomic carbon line in an infrared dark cloud (IRDC). By observing the spatial distribution of the [CI] emission in an IRDC, comparing it with the 13CO emission and the known distribution of internal heating sources, we can quantify the role of internal and external UV irradiation in the production of atomic carbon. We used the 2x4 pixel SMART receiver of the KOSMA observatory on Gornergrat to map the [CI] 3P1 - 3P0 line in the IRDC G48.65-0.29 and compared the resulting spectra with data from the BU-FCRAO 13CO 1-0 Galactic Ring Survey. The [CI]/13CO effective beam temperature ratio falls at about 0.3 with local deviations by less than a factor two. All velocity components seen in 13CO are also detected in[CI]. We find, however, significant differences in the morphology of the brightest regions seen in the two tracers. While 13CO basically follows the column density distribution derived from the near-infrared (NIR) extinction and the submm continuum, the [CI] emission peaks at the locations of the two known NIR point sources. We find CI/CO abundance ratios between 0.07 and 0.13, matching the lower end of the range previously measured in star-forming regions. Evaluating the relative importance of the irradiation by embedded sources and by the Galactic interstellar UV field, we find that in G48.65-0.29 most [CI] emission can be attributed to externally illuminated surfaces. Embedded sources have a significant impact on the overall abundance distribution of atomic carbon as soon as they are found in an evolved state with noticeable NIR flux.