Millimeter and submillimeter survey of the R coronae australis region

Using a combination of data from the Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO), the Arizona Radio Observatory Kitt Peak 12 m telescope, and the Arizona Radio Observatory 10 m Heinrich Hertz Telescope, we have studied the most active part of the R CrA molecular cloud in multiple transitions of carbon monoxide, HCO⁺, and 870 μm continuum emission. Since R CrA is nearby (130 pc), we are able to obtain physical spatial resolution as high as 0.01 pc over an area of 0.16 pc², with velocity resolution finer than 1 km s^-1. Mass estimates of the protostar driving the millimeter-wave emission derived from HCO⁺, dust continuum emission, and kinematic techniques point to a young, deeply embedded protostar of ∼0.5-0.75 M_⊙, with a gaseous envelope of similar mass. A molecular outflow is driven by this source that also contains at least 0.8 M_⊙ of molecular gas with ∼0.5 L _⊙ of mechanical luminosity. HCO⁺ lines show the kinematic signature of infall motions, as well as bulk rotation. The source is most likely a Class 0 protostellar object not yet visible at near-IR wavelengths. With the combination of spatial and spectral resolution in our data set, we are able to disentangle the effects of infall, rotation, and outflow toward this young object.