Through the magnifying glass: ALMA acute viewing of the intricate nebular architecture of OH231.8+4.2.

ABSTRACT: We present continuum and molecular line emission ALMA observations of OH 231.8+4.2, a well studied bipolar nebula around an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. The high angular resolution (∼0·″2-0·″3) and sensitivity of our ALMA maps provide the most detailed and accurate description of the overall nebular structure and kinematics of this object to date. We have identified a number of outflow components previously unknown. Species studied in this work include 12CO, 13CO, CS, SO, SO2, QCS, SiO, SiS, H3O+, Na37Cl, and CH3OH. The molecules Na37Cl and CH3OH are first detections in OH 231.8+4.2, with CH3OH being also a first detection in an AGB star. Our ALMA maps bring to light the totally unexpected position of the mass-losing AGB star (QX Pup) relative to the large-scale outflow. QX Pup is e

SUBMITTER: Sanchez Contreras C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6251484 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature