A molecular cloud within the light echo of V838 Monocerotis
T. Kami\'nski (MPIfR), R. Tylenda (NCAC), and S. Deguchi (NRO)

TL;DR
This study reveals a compact, young interstellar molecular cloud within the light echo of V838 Mon, linking it to the star's recent formation and providing insights into the environment of this eruptive variable.
Contribution
First detailed analysis of CO emission in V838 Mon's light echo, connecting the molecular cloud to the star's environment and age.
Findings
Identified a compact molecular cloud within the echo region.
Confirmed the cloud's interstellar nature with high mass.
Linked the cloud's origin to the star's young age (3-10 Myr).
Abstract
Context. V838 Mon is an eruptive variable, which exploded in 2002. It displayed the most spectacular light echo ever observed. However, neither the origin of the reflecting matter nor the nature of the 2002 outburst have been firmly constrained. Aims. We investigate the nature of the CO radio emission detected in the field of the light echo. In particular, we explore its connection to the echoing dust around V838 Mon. Methods. We observed the echo region in multiple CO rotational transitions. We present and analyse maps of the region obtained in the 12CO(1-0) and (3-2) lines. In addition, deep spectra at several positions were acquired in 12CO(1-0), (2-1), (3-2), and 13CO(1-0), (2-1). Radiative transfer modelling of line intensities is performed for chosen positions to constrain the kinetic temperatures and densities. We derive global parameters (e.g. mass, distance, total column…
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