Detection of glycolaldehyde toward the solar-type protostar NGC 1333 IRAS2A
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Detection of glycolaldehyde toward the solar-type protostar NGC 1333 IRAS2A. / Coutens, Audrey; Persson, M. V.; Jørgensen, J. K.; Wampfler, S. F.; Lykke, J. M.
In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol. 576, No. A5, A5, 01.04.2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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T1 - Detection of glycolaldehyde toward the solar-type protostar NGC 1333 IRAS2A
AU - Coutens, Audrey
AU - Persson, M. V.
AU - Jørgensen, J. K.
AU - Wampfler, S. F.
AU - Lykke, J. M.
PY - 2015/4/1
Y1 - 2015/4/1
N2 - Glycolaldehyde is a key molecule in the formation of biologically relevant molecules such as ribose. We report its detection with the Plateau de Bure interferometer toward the Class 0 young stellar object NGC 1333 IRAS2A, which is only the second solar-type protostar for which this prebiotic molecule is detected. Local thermodynamic equilibrium analyses of glycolaldehyde, ethylene glycol (the reduced alcohol of glycolaldehyde), and methyl formate (the most abundant isomer ofglycolaldehyde) were carried out. The relative abundance of ethylene glycol to glycolaldehyde is found to be ~5 - higher than in the Class 0 source IRAS 16293-2422 (~1), but similar to the lower limits derived in comets (≥3-6). The different ethylene glycol-to-glycolaldehyde ratios in the two protostars might be related to different CH3OH:CO compositions of the icy grain mantles. In particular, a more efficient hydrogenation on the grains in NGC 1333 IRAS2A would favor the formation of both methanol and ethylene glycol. In conclusion, it is possible that like NGC 1333 IRAS2A, other low-mass protostars show high ethylene glycol-to-glycolaldehyde abundance ratios. The cometary ratios might consequently be inherited from earlier stages of star formation if the young Sun experienced conditions similar to NGC 1333 IRAS2A.
AB - Glycolaldehyde is a key molecule in the formation of biologically relevant molecules such as ribose. We report its detection with the Plateau de Bure interferometer toward the Class 0 young stellar object NGC 1333 IRAS2A, which is only the second solar-type protostar for which this prebiotic molecule is detected. Local thermodynamic equilibrium analyses of glycolaldehyde, ethylene glycol (the reduced alcohol of glycolaldehyde), and methyl formate (the most abundant isomer ofglycolaldehyde) were carried out. The relative abundance of ethylene glycol to glycolaldehyde is found to be ~5 - higher than in the Class 0 source IRAS 16293-2422 (~1), but similar to the lower limits derived in comets (≥3-6). The different ethylene glycol-to-glycolaldehyde ratios in the two protostars might be related to different CH3OH:CO compositions of the icy grain mantles. In particular, a more efficient hydrogenation on the grains in NGC 1333 IRAS2A would favor the formation of both methanol and ethylene glycol. In conclusion, it is possible that like NGC 1333 IRAS2A, other low-mass protostars show high ethylene glycol-to-glycolaldehyde abundance ratios. The cometary ratios might consequently be inherited from earlier stages of star formation if the young Sun experienced conditions similar to NGC 1333 IRAS2A.
KW - astrochemistry
KW - astrobiology
KW - ISM: individual objects: NGC 1333 IRAS2A
KW - stars: formation
KW - stars: protostars
KW - ISM: molecules
U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/201425484
DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/201425484
M3 - Journal article
VL - 576
JO - Astronomy & Astrophysics
JF - Astronomy & Astrophysics
SN - 0004-6361
IS - A5
M1 - A5
ER -
ID: 135479979