Detection of complex organic molecules in young starless core L1521E

Samantha Scibelli, Yancy Shirley, Anton Vasyunin, Ralf Launhardt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Determining the level of chemical complexity within dense starless and gravitationally bound pre-stellar cores is crucial for constructing chemical models, which subsequently constrain the initial chemical conditions of star formation. We have searched for complex organic molecules (COMs) in the young starless core L1521E, and report the first clear detection of dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3), methyl formate (HCOOCH3), and vinyl cyanide (CH2CHCN). Eight transitions of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) were also detected, five of which (A states) were used to determine an excitation temperature to then calculate column densities for the other oxygen-bearing COMs. If source size was not taken into account (i.e. if filling fraction was assumed to be one), column density was underestimated, and thus we stress the need for higher resolution mapping data. We calculated L1521E COM abundances and compared them to other stages of low-mass star formation, also finding similarities to other starless/pre-stellar cores, suggesting related chemical evolution. The scenario that assumes formation of COMs in gas-phase reactions between precursors formed on grains and then ejected to the cold gas via reactive desorption was tested and was unable to reproduce observed COM abundances, with the exception of CH3CHO. These results suggest that COMs observed in cold gas are formed not by gas-phase reactions alone, but also through surface reactions on interstellar grains. Our observations present a new, unique challenge for existing theoretical astrochemical models.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5754-5767
Number of pages14
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume504
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2021

Keywords

  • Astrochemistry
  • Radiative transfer
  • Submillimetre: ISM

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of complex organic molecules in young starless core L1521E'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this