James De Buizer

SETI Institute

We present $\sim8-40\,\mu$m SOFIA-FORCAST images of seven regions of ``clustered" star formation as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. We identify a total of 34 protostar candidates and build their spectral energy distributions (SEDs). We fit these SEDs with a grid of radiative transfer models based on the Turbulent Core Accret...

JWST/NIRCam obtained high angular resolution (0.05–0.1 arcsec), deep near-infrared 1–5 $\mu$m imaging of Supernova (SN) 1987A taken 35 yr after the explosion. In the NIRCam images, we identify: (1) faint H2 crescents, which are emissions located between the ejecta and the equatorial ring, (2) a bar, which is a substructure of the ejecta, and (3) th...

We present our sixth set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant H ii regions with our detailed analysis of NGC 3603, the most luminous giant H ii (GH ii ) region in the Galaxy. We used imaging data from the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at 20 and 37 μ m, which mapped t...

We present our fifth set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant H ii (GH ii ) regions with our detailed analysis of DR7 and K3-50. We obtained 20/25 and 37 μ m imaging maps of both regions using the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy. We investigate the multiscale properties of DR7...

We present our fifth set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant HII (GHII) regions with our detailed analysis of DR7 and K3-50. We obtained 20/25 and 37um imaging maps of both regions using the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). We investigate the multi-scale properties of...

We present ∼10–40 μ m SOFIA-FORCAST images of 11 isolated protostars as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey, with this morphological classification based on 37 μ m imaging. We develop an automated method to define source aperture size using the gradient of its background-subtracted enclosed flux and apply this to build spectral e...

At a distance of 50 kpc, Supernova 1987A is an ideal target to study how a young supernova (SN) evolves in time. Its equatorial ring, filled with material expelled from the progenitor star about 20,000 years ago, has been engulfed with SN blast waves. Shocks heat dust grains in the ring, emitting their energy at mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths We pre...

At a distance of 50 kpc, Supernova 1987A is an ideal target to study how a young supernova (SN) evolves in time. Its equatorial ring, filled with material expelled from the progenitor star about 20,000 years ago, has been engulfed with SN blast waves. Shocks heat dust grains in the ring, emitting their energy at mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths We pre...

We present a detailed study of the massive star-forming region G35.2-0.74N with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 1.3 mm multi-configuration observations. At 0.″2 (440 au) resolution, the continuum emission reveals several dense cores along a filamentary structure, consistent with previous ALMA 0.85 mm observations. At 0.″03 (66 a...

We present a detailed study of the massive star-forming region G35.2-0.74N with ALMA 1.3 mm multi-configuration observations. At 0.2" (440 au) resolution, the continuum emission reveals several dense cores along a filamentary structure, consistent with previous ALMA 0.85 mm observations. At 0.03" (66 au) resolution, we detect 22 compact sources, mo...

This is the fourth paper exploring the infrared properties of giant H ii regions with the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Our survey utilizes the census of 56 Milky Way giant H ii regions identified by Conti & Crowther, and in this paper we present the 20 and 37 μ m imaging data we obtained from S...

We present $\sim10-40\,\mu$m \textit{SOFIA}-FORCAST images of 11 "isolated" protostars as part of the \textit{SOFIA} Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey, with this morphological classification based on 37\,$\mu$m imaging. We develop an automated method to define source aperture size based on the gradient of its background-subtracted enclosed flux...

This is the fourth paper exploring the infrared properties of giant HII regions with the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Our survey utilizes the census of 56 Milky Way giant HII regions identified by Conti & Crowther (2004), and in this paper we present the 20 and 37 micron imaging data we have ob...

We present our third set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant H ii regions with our detailed analysis of W49A, one of the most distant, yet most luminous, GH ii regions in the Galaxy. We used the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to obtain 20 and 37 μ m images of the ent...

We present our third set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant HII (GHII) regions with our detailed analysis of W49A, one of the most distant, yet most luminous, GHII regions in the Galaxy. We used the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to obtain 20 and 37$\mu$m images of...

In recent years, dramatic outbursts have been identified toward massive protostars via infrared and millimeter dust continuum and molecular maser emission. The longest lived outburst (>6 yr) persists in NGC 6334 I-MM1, a deeply embedded object with no near-IR counterpart. Using FORCAST and HAWC+ on SOFIA, we have obtained the first mid-IR images of...

In recent years, dramatic outbursts have been identified toward massive protostars via infrared and millimeter dust continuum and molecular maser emission. The longest lived outburst ($>6$ yr) persists in NGC6334I-MM1, a deeply-embedded object with no near-IR counterpart. Using FORCAST and HAWC+ on SOFIA, we have obtained the first mid-infrared ima...

We present SOFIA–FORCAST images of 14 intermediate-mass protostar candidates as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. We build spectral energy distributions, also using archival Spitzer, Herschel, and IRAS data. We then fit the spectral energy distributions with radiative transfer models of Zhang & Tan, based on turbulent core acc...

We present multi-wavelength images observed with SOFIA-FORCAST from ~10 to 40 $\mu$m of 14 protostars, selected as intermediate-mass protostar candidates, as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. We build protostellar spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with the SOFIA observations, together with archival data from Spitzer, Hersch...

We present our second set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way giant H ii regions. We used the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to obtain 20 and 37 μ m images of the central ∼10′ × 10′ area of M17. We investigate the small- and large-scale properties of M17 using our data in...

We present our second set of results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant HII regions. We used the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy to obtain 20 and 37$\mu$m images of the central ~10'X10' area of M17. We investigate the small- and large-scale properties of M17 using our data in conjuncti...

Massive protostars generate strong radiation feedback, which may help set the mass they achieve by the end of the accretion process. Studying such feedback is therefore crucial for understanding the formation of massive stars. We report the discovery of a photoionized bipolar outflow towards the massive protostar G45.47+0.05 using high-resolution o...

Almost all massive stars have bound stellar companions, existing in binaries or higher-order multiples. While binarity is theorized to be an essential feature of how massive stars form, essentially all information about such properties is derived from observations of already formed stars, whose orbital properties may have evolved since birth. Littl...

We present multiwavelength images observed with SOFIA-FORCAST from ∼10 to 40 μm of seven high luminosity massive protostars, as part of the SOFIA Massive Star Formation Survey. Source morphologies at these wavelengths appear to be influenced by outflow cavities and extinction from dense gas surrounding the protostars. Using these images, we build s...

Almost all massive stars have bound stellar companions, existing in binaries or higher-order multiples. While binarity is theorized to be an essential feature of how massive stars form, essentially all information about such properties is derived from observations of already formed stars, whose orbital properties may have evolved since birth. Littl...

We report molecular line observations of the massive protostellar source G339.88-1.26 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array. The observations reveal a highly collimated SiO jet extending from the 1.3 mm continuum source, which connects to a slightly wider but still highly collimated CO outflow. Rotational features perpendicular to t...

We discuss the first results from our mid-infrared (MIR) imaging survey of Milky Way Giant H ii (GH ii) regions with our detailed analysis of W51A, which is one of the largest GH ii regions in our Galaxy. We used the FORCAST instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) to obtain 20 and 37 μm images of the central 10′ ×...

We study centimeter continuum emission of eight high- and intermediate-mass protostars that are part of the SOFIA Massive Star Formation Survey, thus building extended spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from the radio to the infrared. We discuss the morphology seen in the centimeter continuum images, which are mostly derived from archival Very La...

We discuss the first results from our mid-infrared imaging survey of Milky Way Giant HII regions with our detailed analysis of W51A, which is one of the largest GHII regions in our Galaxy. We used the FORCAST instrument on SOFIA to obtain 20 and 37$\mu$m images of the central $10' \times 20'$ area, which encompasses both of the G49.5-0.4 and G49.4-...

The equatorial ring of Supernova (SN) 1987A has been exposed to forward shocks from the SN blast wave, and it has been suggested that these forward shocks have been causing ongoing destruction of dust in the ring.We obtained Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy The Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) 11.1, 19....

We present multi-wavelength images observed with SOFIA-FORCAST from $\sim$10 to 40 $\mu$m of seven high luminosity massive protostars, as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. The source morphologies at these wavelengths appear to be influenced by outflow cavities and extinction from dense gas feeding the protostars, consistent wi...

We report molecular line observations of the massive protostellar source G339.88-1.26 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array. The observations reveal a highly collimated SiO jet extending from the 1.3 mm continuum source, which connects to a slightly wider but still highly collimated CO outflow. Rotational features perpendicular to t...

The equatorial ring of Supernova (SN) 1987A has been exposed to forward shocks from the SN blast wave, and it has been suggested that these forward shocks have been causing on-going destruction of dust in the ring. We obtained SOFIA FORCAST 11.1, 19.7 and 31.5 micron photometry of SN\,1987A in 2016. Compared with Spitzer measurements 10 years earli...

In the last decade, fullerenes have been detected in a variety of astrophysical environments, with the majority being found in planetary nebulae. Laboratory experiments have provided us with insights into the conditions and pathways that can lead to fullerene formation, but it is not clear precisely what led to the formation of astrophysical fuller...

We study centimeter continuum emission of eight high- and intermediate-mass protostars that are part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey, thus building extended spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from the radio to the infrared. We discuss the morphology seen in the centimeter continuum images, which are mostly derived from archival...

We describe the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST) which is presently operating as a facility instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). FORCAST provides imaging and moderate resolution spectroscopy capability over the 5-40μm wavelength range. In imaging mode, FORCAST has a 3.4′×3.2′ fiel...

Debris disk morphology is wavelength dependent due to the wide range of particle sizes and size-dependent dynamics influenced by various forces. Resolved images of nearby debris disks reveal complex disk structures that are difficult to distinguish from their spectral energy distributions. Therefore, multi-wavelength resolved images of nearby debri...

Debris disk morphology is wavelength dependent due to the wide range of particle sizes and size-dependent dynamics influenced by various forces. Resolved images of nearby debris disks reveal complex disk structures that are difficult to distinguish from their spectral energy distributions. Therefore, multi-wavelength resolved images of nearby debri...

We present an overview and first results of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey, which is using the FORCAST instrument to image massive protostars from $\sim10$-$40\:\rm{\mu}\rm{m}$. These wavelengths trace thermal emission from warm dust that in Core Accretion models mainly emerges from the inner regions of protostellar outflow cavities...

We present an overview and first results of the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey, which is using the FORCAST instrument to image massive protostars from $\sim10$--$40\:\rm{\mu}\rm{m}$. These wavelengths trace thermal emission from warm dust, which in Core Accretion models mainly emerges from the...

In this program we propose to use a total of 0.8 hr to obtain 3.6 and 4.5 micron photometry of SNR 1987A at four additional epochs beyond day 10000 after the explosion. The emission in these two IRAC bands may arise from a hot dust component residing in the equatorial ring (ER) with a distinctly different spectral shape and temperature from the dom...

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is the world’s largest airborne observatory, featuring a 2.5 meter effective aperture telescope housed in the aft section of a Boeing 747SP aircraft. SOFIA’s current instrument suite includes: FORCAST (Faint Object InfraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope), a 5-40 μm dual band imager/grism...

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has recently concluded a set of engineering flights for Observatory performance evaluation. These in-flight opportunities are viewed as a first comprehensive assessment of the Observatory's performance and are used to guide future development activities, as well as to identify additional...

Thermal models to FORCAST observations of Comet ISON (r_h = 1.2 AU) at 11, 19 and 32 µm show the coma has a steep size distribution of carbon-rich 0.7-1-µm grains.

(Abridged) METHODS: We performed SMA observations at 1.3 mm with both the most extended and compact array configurations, providing sub-arcsecond and high sensitivity maps of various molecular lines, including both hot-core and outflow tracers. We also reconstruct the spectral energy distribution of the region from millimeter to near infrared wavel...

We have imaged the bipolar planetary nebula M2-9 using SOFIA's FORCAST instrument in six wavelength bands between 6.6 and 37.1 $\mu m$. A bright central point source, unresolved with SOFIA's $\sim$ 4${''}$-to-5${''}$ beam, is seen at each wavelength, and the extended bipolar lobes are clearly seen at 19.7 $\mu m$ and beyond. The photometry between...

FORCAST is a mid-infrared (5–40 μm) facility instrument for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). After achieving first light flight in 2010 May, FORCAST has completed two observatory characterization flights and thirteen science flights on SOFIA. In this paper we describe the photometric calibration of FORCAST which involve...

In this program we propose to use a total of 0.4 hr to obtain 3.6 and 4.5 micron photometry of SNR 1987A at two additional epochs beyond day 9800 after the explosion. The emission in these two IRAC bands arises from a hot dust component residing in the equatorial ring (ER) with a distinctly different spectral shape and temperature from the dominant...

In the interstellar medium (ISM), molecular hydrogen is expected to form almost exclusively on the surfaces of dust grains. Due to that molecule's large formation energy (–4.5 eV), several dynamical effects are likely associated with the process, including the alignment of asymmetric dust grains with the ambient magnetic field. Such aligned dust gr...

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne observatory, carrying a 2.5 m telescope onboard a heavily modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. SOFIA is optimized for operation at infrared wavelengths, much of which is obscured for ground-based observatories by atmospheric water vapor. The SOFIA science instrument complement c...

Compared to low mass star formation, relatively little is known about massive star formation. Furthermore, most studies concentrate on the processes of isolated star formation while little is known about clustered star formation, despite the fact that the vast majority of stars are formed within clusters. Giant HII regions harbor young OB clusters,...

We present a radiation transfer model consistently developed for a core in high pressure environment forming a massive star through core accretion. We compare this model to the massive protostar G35.2-0.74N, including SOFIA observations at 30 and 40μm. Good agreement is achieved, showing that a ~30M ⊙ protostar is forming from a high surface densit...

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy, or SOFIA, is the largest flying observatory ever built,consisting of a 2.7-meter diameter telescope embedded in a modified Boeing 747-SP aircraft. SOFIA is a joint project between NASA and the German Aerospace Center Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft und-Raumfahrt (DLR). By flying at altitudes up to 45...

We present 30 and 40 μm imaging of the massive protostar G35.20–0.74 with SOFIA-FORCAST. The high surface density of the natal core around the protostar leads to high extinction, even at these relatively long wavelengths, causing the observed flux to be dominated by that emerging from the near-facing outflow cavity. However, emission from the far-f...

Though it is generally believed that the formation of massive stars is simply a scaled-up version of disk accretion as seen in low-mass stars, concrete and convincing evidence for the existence of these disks around high mass stars remains elusive. One unique property of massive stars in their formative years is the presence of methanol maser emiss...

In this program we propose to use a total of 0.4 hr to obtain 3.6 and 4.5 micron photometry of SNR 1987A at two additional epochs beyond day 9500 after the explosion. The emission in these two IRAC bands arises from a hot dust component residing in the equatorial ring (ER) with a distinctly different spectral shape and temperature from the dominant...

FORCAST has completed 16 engineering and science flights as the "First Light" U. S. science instrument aboard SOFIA and will be commissioned as a SOFIA facility instrument in 2013. FORCAST offers dual channel imaging (diffractionlimited at wavelengths < 15 microns) using a 256 x 256 pixel Si:As blocked impurity band (BIB) detector at 5 - 28 microns...

We present infrared observations of the ultracompact H II region W3(OH) made by the FORCAST instrument aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and by the Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera. We contribute new wavelength data to the spectral energy distribution (SED), which constrains the optical depth, grain size distribution,...

Milliarcsecond very long baseline interferometry maps of regions containing 6.7 GHz methanol maser emission have lead to the recent discovery of ring-like distributions of maser spots and the plausible hypothesis that they may be tracing circumstellar disks around forming high-mass stars. We aimed to test this hypothesis by imaging these regions in...

The recent discovery of methanol maser emission coming from ring-like distributions has led to the plausible hypothesis that they may be tracing circumstellar disks around forming high mass stars. In this article we discuss the distribution of circumstellar material around such young and massive accreting (proto)stars, and what infrared emission ge...

We present infrared observations of the ultra-compact H II region W3(OH) made with Spitzer/IRAC and SOFIA/FORCAST. We contribute new wavelength data to the spectral energy distribution, which constrains the optical depth, grain size distribution, and temperature gradient of the dusty shell surrounding the H II region. We do not detect the nearby wa...

We present 75'' × 75'' size maps of M82 at 6.4 μm, 6.6 μm, 7.7 μm, 31.5 μm, and 37.1 μm with a resolution of ~4'' that we have obtained with the mid-IR camera FORCAST on SOFIA. We find strong emission from the inner 60'' (~1 kpc) along the major axis, with the main peak 5'' west-southwest of the nucleus and a secondary peak 4'' east-northeast of th...

The Becklin-Neugebauer/Kleinmann-Low (BN/KL) region of the Orion Nebula is the nearest region of high-mass star formation in our galaxy. As such, it has been the subject of intense investigation at a variety of wavelengths, which have revealed it to be brightest in the infrared to submillimeter wavelength regime. Using the newly commissioned SOFIA...

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is an airborne observatory consisting of a specially modified Boeing 747SP with a 2.7 m telescope, flying at altitudes as high as 13.7 km (45,000 ft). Designed to observe at wavelengths from 0.3 μm to 1.6 mm, SOFIA operates above 99.8% of the water vapor that obscures much of the infrared...

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) completed its first light flight in May of 2010 using the facility mid-infrared instrument FORCAST. Since then, FORCAST has successfully completed thirteen science flights on SOFIA. In this paper we describe the design, operation and performance of FORCAST as it relates to the initial thr...

The BN/KL region of the Orion Nebula is the nearest region of high mass star formation in our galaxy. As such, it has been the subject of intense investigation at a variety of wavelengths, which have revealed it to be brightest in the infrared to sub-mm wavelength regime. Using the newly commissioned SOFIA airborne telescope and its 5-40 micron cam...

We examine eight young stellar objects in the OMC-2 star-forming region based on observations from the SOFIA/FORCAST early science phase, the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Herschel Space Observatory, Two Micron All Sky Survey, Atacama Pathfinder Experiment, and other results in the literature. We show the spectral energy distributions (SED) of these...

We present new mid-infrared images of the central region of the Orion Nebula using the newly commissioned SOFIA airborne telescope and its 5 -- 40 micron camera FORCAST. The 37.1 micron images represent the highest resolution observations (<4") ever obtained of this region at these wavelengths. After BN/KL (which is described in a separate letter i...

We present 37\micron\ imaging of the S140 complex of infrared sources centered on IRS1 made with the FORCAST camera on SOFIA. These observations are the longest wavelength imaging to resolve clearly the three main sources seen at shorter wavelengths, IRS 1, 2 and 3, and are nearly at the diffraction limit of the 2.5-m telescope. We also obtained a...

The massive star forming region W3 was observed with the faint object infrared camera for the SOFIA telescope (FORCAST) as part of the Short Science program. The 6.4, 6.6, 7.7, 19.7, 24.2, 31.5 and 37.1 \um bandpasses were used to observe the emission of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules, Very Small Grains and Big Grains. Optical dept...

We present observations of eight intermediate luminosity protostars and circumstellar disks in OMC-2 detected by SOFIA/FORCAST during the SOFIA short science phase. We combined the SOFIA/FORCAST observations with observations from the Spitzer Orion Molecular Cloud Survey, The Herschel Orion Protostar Survey, and ground-based data published in the l...

The inner three square arcminute area of the Orion nebula, centered on the Trapezium and including the BN/KL region, was observed as a part of Early Science observations with SOFIA. Using the 5-40 micron camera FORCAST, we imaged this region at 6.6, 7.7, 19.7, 31.5, and 37.1 microns. These observations provide the highest resolution images ever obt...