A Natural Laboratory for Astrochemistry, a Variable Protostar B335

TL;DR

This study observes emission lines from complex organic molecules in the protostar B335 over four epochs, revealing rapid sublimation during luminosity bursts and slower freeze-out, providing a natural laboratory for astrochemistry.

Contribution

It presents multi-epoch observations of molecular emission lines in B335, demonstrating the dynamic chemical response to luminosity changes in a protostar.

Findings

Emission lines increased with luminosity

Slow decrease of emission lines after luminosity drops

Supports models of rapid sublimation and slow freeze-out

Abstract

Emission lines from complex organic molecules in B335 were observed in four epochs, spanning a luminosity burst of about 10 years duration. The emission lines increased dramatically in intensity as the luminosity increased, but they have decreased only slightly as the luminosity has decreased. This behavior agrees with expectations of rapid sublimation as the dust temperature increases, but slower freeze-out after the dust temperature drops. Further monitoring of this source, along with detailed chemical models, will exploit this natural laboratory for astrochemistry.