Structure and chemistry of Orion S

Abstract

We present interferometric observations of the SiO J = 2-1, H^(13)CO^+ J = 1-0, HC_3N J = 11-10, CH_3OH J_K = 2_0-1_0, and SO_2 J(K_pK_0) = 8_(17)-8_(08) transitions along with the λ = 3.1 mm continuum toward the young stellar object Orion S. The HC_3N and H^(13)CO^+ emission trace similar spatial and velocity distributions which are extended and follow the Orion molecular ridge. The SiO emission is more spatially confined, peaking to the west of the λ = 3.1 mm continuum source, while the CH_3OH emission peaks to the southwest. Weak SO_2 emission was detected southeast of the continuum source position. Column densities and fractional abundances are derived for each species at different positions in the region. In general, the molecular abundances near the continuum source are similar to those in the quiescent material near IRc 2, but the abundances decrease toward the continuum source position indicating localized depletions of at least a factor of three. The presence of strong SiO emission with much weaker SO_2 emission is interpreted as resulting from high-velocity shock interactions between the outflow from Orion S and the surrounding cloud. The apparent molecular depletions directly toward Orion S, and the similarity of abundances between the Orion S region and quiescent ridge material, suggest that Orion S is at an early stage of chemical evolution, prior to when substantial chemical differentiation occurs.

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