Highly deuterated pre-stellar cores in a high-mass star formation region

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution observations to analyze deuterated gas in a high-mass star formation region, revealing the presence of low- to intermediate-mass pre-stellar cores with high deuterium fractionation.

Contribution

It provides detailed morphological and compositional insights into deuterated gas in a high-mass star formation environment, highlighting potential pre-stellar cores.

Findings

N2D+ condensations are concentrated in two regions

High deuterium fractionation (0.1) observed in condensations

Cores are likely low- to intermediate-mass pre-stellar cores

Abstract

We have observed the deuterated gas in the high-mass star formation region IRAS 05345+3157 at high-angular resolution, in order to determine the morphology and the nature of such gas. We have mapped the N2H+ (1-0) line with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer, and the N2D+ (3-2) and N2H+ (3-2) lines with the Submillimeter Array. The N2D+ (3-2) integrated emission is concentrated in two condensations, with masses of 2-3 and 9 M_sun and diameters of 0.05 and 0.09 pc, respectively. The high deuterium fractionation (0.1) and the line parameters in the N2D+ condensations indicate that they are likely low- to intermediate-mass pre-stellar cores, even though other scenarios are possible.