Dust evolution across the Horsehead Nebula

Abstract

Micro-physical processes on interstellar dust surfaces are tightly connected to dust properties (i.e. dust composition, size and shape) and play a key role in numerous phenomena in the interstellar medium (ISM). The large disparity in physical conditions (i.e. density, gas temperature) in the ISM triggers an evolution of dust properties. The analysis of how dust evolves with the physical conditions is a stepping-stone towards a more thorough understanding of interstellar dust. The aim of this paper is to highlight dust evolution in the Horsehead Nebula PDR region. We use Spitzer/IRAC (3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8 μm), Spitzer/MIPS (24 μm) together with Herschel/PACS (70 and 160 μm) and Herschel/SPIRE (250, 350 and 500 μm) to map the spatial distribution of dust in the Horsehead over the entire emission spectral range. We model dust emission and scattering using the THEMIS interstellar dust model together with the 3D radiative transfer code SOC. We find that the nano-grains dust-to-gas ratio in the irradiated outer part of the Horsehead is 6 to 10 times lower than in the diffuse ISM. Their minimum size is 2 to 2.25 times larger than in the diffuse ISM and the power-law exponent of their size distribution, 1.1 to 1.4 times lower than in the diffuse ISM. Regarding the denser part of the Horsehead, it is necessary to use evolved grains (i.e. aggregates, with or without an ice mantle). It is not possible to explain the observations using grains from the diffuse medium. We therefore propose the following scenario to explain our results. In the outer part of the Horsehead, all the nano-grains have not yet had time to re-form completely through photo-fragmentation of aggregates and the smallest of the nano-grains that are sensitive to the radiation field are photo-destroyed. In the inner part of the Horsehead, grains most likely consist of multi-compositional, mantled aggregates.

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