Kinematics and Physical Conditions of the Innermost Envelope in B335

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution molecular line observations to analyze the structure, physical conditions, and rotation of the innermost envelope around the protostar B335, revealing details about its temperature, density, and angular momentum distribution.

Contribution

It provides detailed kinematic and physical condition analysis of B335's innermost envelope using combined SMA and single-dish data, highlighting the angular momentum profile and its evolution.

Findings

Higher temperature and lower density gas are associated with outflows.

The specific angular momentum decreases inward and then remains conserved.

The envelope shows distinct structural components at different scales.

Abstract

We made C18O (2-1) and CS (7-6) images of the protostellar envelope around B335 with a high spatial dynamic range from ~10000 to ~400 AU, by combining the Submillimeter Array and single-dish data. The C18O emission shows an extended (~10000 AU) structure as well as a compact (~1500 AU) component concentrated at the protostellar position. The CS emission shows a compact (~900 AU) component surrounding the protostar, plus a halo-like (~3000 AU) structure elongated along the east-west direction. At higher velocities (|dV| >~0.3 km s^-1), the CS emission is stronger and more extended than the C18O emission. Physical conditions of the envelope were examined through an LVG model. At |dV| >~0.3 km s^-1, the gas temperature is higher (>40 K) than that at |dV| <~0.3 km s^-1, whereas the gas density is lower (<10^6 cm^-3). We consider that the higher-temperature and lower-density gas at |dV| >~0.3 km s^-1 is related to the associated outflow, while the lower-temperature and higher-density gas at |dV| <~0.3 km s^-1 is the envelope component. From the inspection of the positional offsets in the velocity channel maps, the radial profile of the specific angular momentum of the envelope rotation in B335 was revealed at radii from ~10^4 down to ~10^2 AU. The specific angular momentum decreases down to the radius of ~370 AU, and then appears to be conserved within that radius. A possible scenario of the evolution of envelope rotation is discussed.