Hot organic molecules toward a young low-mass star: A look at inner disk chemistry

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • F. Lahuis
  • E. F. Van Dishoeck
  • A. C.A. Boogert
  • K. M. Pontoppidan
  • Geoffrey A. Blake
  • C. P. Dullemond
  • N. J. Evans
  • Michiel R. Hogerheijde
  • Jørgensen, Jes Kristian
  • J. E. Kessler-Silacci
  • C. Knez

Spitzer Space Telescope spectra of the low-mass young stellar object (YSO) IRS 46 (Lbol ≈ 0.6 L) in Ophiuchus reveal strong vibration-rotation absorption bands of gaseous C2H2, HCN, and CO2. This is the only source out of a sample of ∼ 100 YSOs that shows these features, and this is the first time that they are seen in the spectrum of a solar-mass YSO. Analysis of the Spitzer data combined with Keck L- and M-band spectra reveals excitation temperatures of ≥350 K and abundances of 10-6 to 10-5 with respect to H2, orders of magnitude higher than those found in cold clouds. In spite of this high abundance, the HCN J = 4-3 line is barely detected with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), indicating a source diameter less than 13 AU. The (sub)millimeter continuum emission and the absence of scattered light in near-infrared images limit the mass and temperature of any remnant collapsing envelope to less than 0.01 M and 100 K, respectively. This excludes a hot-core-type region as found in high-mass YSOs. The most plausible origin of this hot gas rich in organic molecules is in the inner (<6 AU radius) region of the disk around IRS 46, either the disk itself or a disk wind. A nearly edgeon two-dimensional disk model fits the spectral energy distribution (SED) and gives a column of dense warm gas along the line of sight that is consistent with the absorption data. These data illustrate the unique potential of high-resolution infrared spectroscopy to probe the organic chemistry, gas temperatures, and gas kinematics in the planet-forming zones close to a young star.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume636
Issue number2 II
Pages (from-to)L145-L148
ISSN0004-637X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2006
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Infrared: ISM, ISM: individual (IRS 46), ISM: jets and outflows, ISM: molecules, Planetary systems: protoplanetary disks, Stars: formation

ID: 234019973