Spatial distribution of C4H and c-C3H2 in cold molecular cores

TL;DR

This study maps the distribution of C$_4$H and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ molecules in 19 cold molecular cores, revealing their widespread presence, different spatial distributions, and weak correlation in abundances, informing astrochemical models.

Contribution

First comprehensive mapping of C$_4$H and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ distributions in cold cores, showing their widespread presence and weak chemical correlation.

Findings

C$_4$H detected in 13 sources; $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ in 18 sources.

Different spatial distributions observed between the two molecules.

Weak correlation (r=0.46) between their abundance ratios.

Abstract

C$_4$H and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$, as unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules, are important for forming large organic molecules in the interstellar medium. We present mapping observations of C$_4$H ($N$=9$-8$) lines, $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ ($J_{Ka,Kb}$=2$_{1,2}$-1$_{0,1}$) %at 85338.894 MHz and H$^{13}$CO$^+$ ($J$=1$-0$) %at 86754.2884 MHz toward 19 nearby cold molecular cores in the Milky Way with the IRAM 30m telescope. C$_4$H 9--8 was detected in 13 sources, while $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ was detected in 18 sources. The widely existing C$_4$H and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ molecules in cold cores provide material to form large organic molecules. Different spatial distributions between C$_4$H 9--8 and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ 2--1 were found. The relative abundances of these three molecules were obtained under the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions with a fixed excitation temperature. The abundance ratio of C$_4$H to $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ ranged from 0.34 $\pm$ 0.09 in G032.93+02 to 4.65 $\pm$ 0.50 in G008.67+22. A weak correlation between C$_4$H/H$^{13}$CO$^+$ and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$/H$^{13}$CO$^+$ abundance ratios was found, with a correlation coefficient of 0.46, which indicates that there is no tight astrochemical connection between C$_4$H and $c$-C$_3$H$_2$ molecules.