Resolved gas temperatures and <sup>12</sup>C/<sup>13</sup>C ratios in SVS13A from ALMA Observations of CH<sub>3</sub>CN and CH<sub>3</sub><sup>13</sup>CN

Context. Multiple systems are common in field stars and the frequency is found to be higher in early evolutionary stages. Thus, the study of young multiple systems during the embedded stages is key to a comprehensive understanding of star formation. In particular, the way material accretes from the large-scale envelope into the inner region and how this flow interacts with the system physically and chemically has not been well characterized observationally to date. Aims. We aim to provide a snapshot of the forming protobinary system SVS13A, consisting of VLA4A and VLA4B. This includes a clear picture of its kinematic structures, physical conditions, and chemical properties. Methods. We conducted ALMA observations toward SVS13A targeting CH 3 CN and CH 3 13 CN J=12-11 K-ladder line emission with a high spatial resolution of ∼30 astronomical units (au) at a spectral resolution of ∼0.08 km s −1 . Results. We used local thermal equilibrium (LTE) radiative transfer models to fit the spectral features of the line emission. We found the two-layer LTE radiative model that includes dust absorption is essential to interpreting the CH 3 CN and CH 3 13 CN line emission. We identified two major and four small kinematic components and derived their physical and chemical properties. Conclusions. We identified a possible infalling signature toward the bursting secondary source VLA4A, which may be fed by an infalling streamer from the large-scale envelope. The mechanical heating in the binary system, as well as the infalling shocked gas, are likely to play a role in the thermal structure of the protobinary system. By accumulating mass from the streamer, it is plausible that the system experienced a gravitationally unstable phase before the accretion outburst. Finally, the derived CH 3 CN/CH 3 13 CN ratio is lower than the canonical ratio in the ISM and varies between VLA4A and VLA4B.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Published
2025-03-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202453273
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
7.80

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Resolved gas temperatures and 12C/13C ratios in SVS13A from ALMA Observations of CH3CN and CH313CN

Dominique Segura-Cox, M. T. Valdivia-Mena, J. E. Pineda, C. Gieser et al.
6 citations
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
7.80
article

Resolved gas temperatures and 12C/13C ratios in SVS13A from ALMA Observations of CH3CN and CH313CN

Dominique Segura-Cox, M. T. Valdivia-Mena, J. E. Pineda, C. Gieser, Valerio Lattanzi, A. Lopez-Sepulcre, R. Neri, A. Laura Busch, Timothy H. Hsieh, María José Maureira, S. Spezzano, Yuxin Lin, P. Caselli, Y.-R. Chou
article en
6 citations

Abstract

Context. Multiple systems are common in field stars and the frequency is found to be higher in early evolutionary stages. Thus, the study of young multiple systems during the embedded stages is key to a comprehensive understanding of star formation. In particular, the way material accretes from the large-scale envelope into the inner region and how this flow interacts with the system physically and chemically has not been well characterized observationally to date. Aims. We aim to provide a snapshot of the forming protobinary system SVS13A, consisting of VLA4A and VLA4B. This includes a clear picture of its kinematic structures, physical conditions, and chemical properties. Methods. We conducted ALMA observations toward SVS13A targeting CH 3 CN and CH 3 13 CN J=12-11 K-ladder line emission with a high spatial resolution of ∼30 astronomical units (au) at a spectral resolution of ∼0.08 km s −1 . Results. We used local thermal equilibrium (LTE) radiative transfer models to fit the spectral features of the line emission. We found the two-layer LTE radiative model that includes dust absorption is essential to interpreting the CH 3 CN and CH 3 13 CN line emission. We identified two major and four small kinematic components and derived their physical and chemical properties. Conclusions. We identified a possible infalling signature toward the bursting secondary source VLA4A, which may be fed by an infalling streamer from the large-scale envelope. The mechanical heating in the binary system, as well as the infalling shocked gas, are likely to play a role in the thermal structure of the protobinary system. By accumulating mass from the streamer, it is plausible that the system experienced a gravitationally unstable phase before the accretion outburst. Finally, the derived CH 3 CN/CH 3 13 CN ratio is lower than the canonical ratio in the ISM and varies between VLA4A and VLA4B.

Astronomy and AstrophysicsVol. 696
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica (TW), European Southern Observatory (DE), Taiwan Comprehensive University System (TW), Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (DE), Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (FR), University of Rochester (US), Université Grenoble Alpes (FR)
National Science Foundation, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Science and Technology Council, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
7.80
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.