MINDS: the molecule-rich disc of the Herbig star HD 35929 revealed with JWST/MIRI
Abstract
Our knowledge of the chemical composition of the gas in the inner dise of intermediate-mass young stars is limited, due to the lack of suitable instrumentation. The launch of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided a significant improvement in our ability to probe gas in these inner discs. We analyse the gas composition and emitting conditions of the disc around HD 35929, a young intermediate-mass Herbig star, using data from the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) in the medium-resolution mode (MRS). Our goal is to constrain the chemistry and kinematics of the gas phase molecules detected in the inner dise. We use the interactive Spectral-Line Analysis Tool (iSLAT) to examine the observed molecular lines and the Dust Continuum Kit with Line Emission from Gas (DUCKLING) to detect, fit, and analyse the molecular emission. We find gas phase H2O, CO, CO2, and OH in the disc, as well as Ht recombination lines. Surprisingly, we also detect gas phase SiO in the fundamental v 1-0 vibrational band. We derive column densities and temperature ranges of the detected species, arising from the inner similar to 0.2 au, hinting towards a compact and very warm dise. The molecular column densities are much higher than found in lower mass T Tauri discs. In general, the molecular composition is consistent with an O-rich gas from which silicate-rich solids condense and the strong gas phase molecular line emission suggests a low dust opacity. The unexpected detection of gas phase SiO at the source velocity points to an incomplete condensation of rock forming elements in the disc, suggesting chemical disequilibrium and/or an underestimate of the gas kinetic temperature.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
Stellar
planetary
and galactic studies
Astro and Planetary Science
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich)
- Publication date
- 24 January 2026
- Language
- EN