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Paper: Circumstellar/Protoplanetary Disks and Bipolar Jets at 5AU Resolution
Volume: 344, The Cool Universe: Observing Cosmic Dawn
Page: 200
Authors: Lim, J.; Takakuwa, S.
Abstract: We present images of LDN1551 IRS 5 at angular resolutions as high as ∼30 mas, corresponding to a spatial resolution of ∼5 AU, made at 7mm with the VLA. Previously known to be a binary protostellar system, we show that LDN1551 IRS 5 is probably a triple protostellar system. The primary and secondary components have a projected separation of ∼46AU, whereas the tertiary component has a projected separation of ∼11AU from the primary component. The circumstellar dust disks of all three components have dimensions of ∼10—15AU. Their major axes are closely, but not perfectly, aligned with each other and with the major axis of the surrounding flattened, rotating, and contracting molecular condensation (pseudodisk). Furthermore, the orbital motions of the primary and secondary components are in the same direction as the rotational motion of this pseudodisk. We suggest that all three protostellar components formed as a result of the fragmentation of the central region of the molecular pseudodisk. Both the primary and secondary components, but apparently not the tertiary component, exhibit a bipolar ionized jet that is centered on and emerges perpendicular to its associated dust disk. Neither jets are resolved along their base, implying that they are driven within a radial distance of ∼2.5AU from their central protostars. Our images provide an exciting preview of what ALMA is likely to obtain for many more protostellar systems.
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