Early Science with the Large Millimetre Telescope: Molecules in the Extreme Outflow of a proto-Planetary Nebula

TL;DR

This study used the Large Millimetre Telescope to detect and analyze molecules in the extreme outflow of the proto-Planetary Nebula IRAS 16342-3814, revealing unprecedented molecular complexity and high-velocity emissions.

Contribution

First detection of multiple molecules in the extreme outflow of a proto-Planetary Nebula across a broad frequency range, highlighting high-velocity molecular activity and chemical composition.

Findings

Detected SiO, HCN, SO, and 13CO molecules at high velocities.

All molecules, except 13CO, are detected for the first time in this source.

Extreme outflow gas is dense, with a mass > 0.02–0.15 solar masses.

Abstract

Extremely high velocity emission likely related to jets is known to occur in some proto-Planetary Nebulae. However, the molecular complexity of this kinematic component is largely unknown. We observed the known extreme outflow from the proto-Planetary Nebula IRAS 16342-3814, a prototype water fountain, in the full frequency range from 73 to 111 GHz with the RSR receiver on the Large Millimetre Telescope. We detected the molecules SiO, HCN, SO, and $^{13}$CO. All molecular transitions, with the exception of the latter are detected for the first time in this source, and all present emission with velocities up to a few hundred km s$^{-1}$. IRAS 16342-3814 is therefore the only source of this kind presenting extreme outflow activity simultaneously in all these molecules, with SO and SiO emission showing the highest velocities found of these species in proto-Planetary Nebulae. To be confirmed is a tentative weak SO component with a FWHM $\sim$ 700 km s$^{-1}$. The extreme outflow gas consists of dense gas (n$_{\rm H_2} >$ 10$^{4.8}$--10$^{5.7}$ cm$^{-3}$), with a mass larger than $\sim$ 0.02--0.15 M$_{\odot}$. The relatively high abundances of SiO and SO may be an indication of an oxygen-rich extreme high velocity gas.