Highly deuterated pre-stellar cores in a high-mass star formation region

Abstract

Aims.We have observed the deuterated gas in the high-mass star formation region IRAS 05345+3157 at high-angular resolution, in order to determine the morphology and the nature of this gas.Methods.We have mapped the N 2H+ (1-0) line with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer, and the N2H+ (3-2) and N2H+ (3-2) lines with the Submillimeter Array.Results.We have detected two condensations in N2H+, with masses of ∼ 2-3 and ∼9 M⊙ and diameters of 0.05 and 0.09 pc, respectively. The high deuterium fractionation (∼0.1) and the line parameters of the N2H+ condensations indicate that they are probably low- to intermediate-mass pre-stellar cores, even though other scenarios are possible.. © 2008 ESO.