High-resolution Mid-infrared Spectroscopy of SVS13-A with EXES/SOFIA: The Surprisingly High CH 3 OH/H 2 O Ratio in the Planet-forming Zone of a Solar Mass Protostar

The Astrophysical Journal Letters 2026 Open access

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Authors: Curtis N. DeWitt, M. De Simone, E. Bianchi, Cecilia Ceccarelli, C. Codella, Sarah Nickerson, Keeyoon Sung, Albert Rimola, Vittorio Bariosco, Piero Uliengo, Naseem Rangwala
DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae5487
Cited by: 1
References: 62

Abstract

Abstract Water and methanol are key components of interstellar ices and gas in star- and planet-forming regions, but direct observations of water in low-mass protostars are challenging due to atmospheric absorption. We present high-resolution ( R = 70,500) mid-infrared spectroscopy of the class I protostar SVS13-A with EXES on board SOFIA at 26 μ m, targeting both H 2 O and CH 3 OH absorption lines. Several lines of each species are detected, tracing warm gas with rotational temperatures of ∼140–170 K. Remarkably, the methanol column density is a factor of ∼4 higher than that of water, well above typical interstellar ice ratios (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies Fullerene Chemistry and Applications Advanced Chemical Physics Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Volume
1001
Issue
1
Pages
L2–L2
Publication date
2 April 2026
Language
EN