GBT15A-430

The Green Bank Ammonia Survey (GAS)

Abstract

We request Large Proposal status for the Green Bank Ammonia Survey (GAS), an ambitious legacy survey for the GBT, to map emission from the 23 GHz NH3 inversion transitions toward all the northern Gould Belt star forming regions with Av > 5. Within this distance range, the GBT beam at 23 GHz subtends 0.02 pc - 0.08 pc, able to resolve both the Jeans length and the ~ 0.1 pc typical filament width suggested by Herschel data, and will provide the kinematic counterpoint to Herschel and JCMT Gould Belt continuum surveys. With these data we will 1) evaluate the stability of dense gas structures as a function of scale, 2) track the dissipation of turbulence and evolution of angular momentum in filaments and cores, and 3) quantitatively test predictions of models of core and filament formation via mass flows and accretion. Only the KFPA on the GBT has the spectral flexibility, sensitivity, mapping speed, and spatial and spectral resolution to complete a survey of this magnitude. By waiving the proprietary period and committing to making public the completed datasets and advanced data products, we ensure this program provides legacy value to the GBT and the entire star formation community.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Jaime Pineda	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
Erik Rosolowsky	British Columbia at Okanagan, University of ; Alberta, University of
James Di Francesco	Herzberg Institute
Youngmin Seo	Arizona, University of; Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jared Keown	Victoria, University of
Yancy Shirley	Arizona, University of
Felipe Alves	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
Michael Chen	Queen's University
Helen Kirk	Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada
Rachel Friesen *	Toronto, University of
Ana Chacon-Tanarro	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik; Instituto Geográfico Nacional
Anna Punanova	Chalmers University of Technology
How-Huan Chen	Texas at Austin, University of
Hector Arce	Yale University
Stella Offner	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian; Massachusetts at Amherst, University of; Texas at Austin, University of
Christopher Matzner	Toronto, University of
Peter Martin	Toronto, University of
Scott Schnee	National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Phil Myers	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Fabian Heitsch	North Carolina, University of
Katherine Lee	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Paola Caselli	Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik; Leeds, University of
Alyssa Goodman	Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian

* indicates the PI