Geometric and Kinematic Structure of the Outflow/Envelope System of L1527 Revealed by Subarcsecond-resolution Observation of CS

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution ALMA observations of CS and c-C3H2 to analyze the structure and kinematics of the outflow and envelope in the low-mass protostar L1527, revealing a nearly edge-on rotating envelope with potential outflow precession.

Contribution

First detailed kinematic analysis of the outflow/envelope system in L1527 using subarcsecond ALMA data, highlighting a possible outflow precession and a misalignment between small and large-scale outflows.

Findings

Envelope has a nearly edge-on configuration with a 5° inclination.

Outflow axis orientation differs between small and large scales, suggesting precession.

Kinematic structure of the envelope fits a ballistic infalling rotating model.

Abstract

Subarcsecond-resolution images of the rotational line emissions of CS and c-C$_3$H$_2$ obtained toward the low-mass protostar IRAS 04368$+$2557 in L1527 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array are investigated to constrain the orientation of the outflow/envelope system. The distribution of CS consists of an envelope component extending from north to south and a faint butterfly-shaped outflow component. The kinematic structure of the envelope is well reproduced by a simple ballistic model of an infalling rotating envelope. Although the envelope has a nearly edge-on configuration, the inclination angle of the rotation axis from the plane of the sky is found to be 5$^\circ$, where we find that the western side of the envelope faces the observer. This configuration is opposite to the direction of the large-scale ($\sim$ 10$^4$ AU) outflow suggested previously from the $^{12}$CO ($J$=3$-$2) observation, and to the morphology of infrared reflection near the protostar ($\sim$ 200 AU). The latter discrepancy could originate from high extinction by the outflow cavity of the western side, these discrepancies or may indicate that the outflow axis is not parallel to the rotation axis of the envelope. Position-velocity diagrams show the accelerated outflow cavity wall, and its kinematic structure in the 2000 AU scale is explained by a standard parabolic model with the inclination angle derived from the analysis of the envelope. The different orientation of the outflow between the small and large scale implies a possibility of precession of the outflow axis. The shape and the velocity of the outflow in the vicinity of the protostar are compared with those of other protostars.