HH 114 MMS: a new chemically active outflow

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a new chemically active bipolar outflow from HH 114 MMS, characterized by strong shock-tracer molecule emissions, with chemical properties similar to the well-studied L 1157 outflow.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed molecular emission analysis of the HH 114 MMS outflow, establishing it as a new example of a chemically active outflow with comparable molecular abundances to L 1157.

Findings

HH 114 MMS outflow shows strong shock-tracer molecule emission.

Molecular abundances are similar to those in L 1157.

The outflow is identified as a new chemically active case.

Abstract

Context. A small group of bipolar protostellar outflows display strong emission from shock-tracer molecules such as SiO and CH3OH, and are generally referred to as "chemically active." The best-studied outflow from this group is the one in L 1157. Aims. We study the molecular emission from the bipolar outflow powered by the very young stellar object HH 114 MMS and compare its chemical composition with that of the L1157 outflow. Methods. We have used the IRAM 30m radio telescope to observe a number of transitions from CO, SiO, CH3OH, SO, CS, HCN, and HCO+ toward the HH 114 MMS outflow. The observations consist of maps and a two-position molecular survey. Results. The HH 114 MMS outflow presents strong emission from a number of shock-tracer molecules that dominate the appearance of the maps around the central source. The abundance of these molecules is comparable to the abundance in L 1157. Conclusions. The outflow from HH 114 MMS is a spectacular new case of a chemically active outflow.