Investigating the Nested Structure of the Outflow from the Low Luminosity Protostar IRAS 16253-2429 using JWST and ALMA

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Authors: Mayank Narang, Himanshu Tyagi, Nagayoshi Ohashi, P. Manoj, S. T. Megeath, John J. Tobin, Ewine F. van Dishoeck, Neal J. Evans II, Dan Watson, A. Caratti o Garatti, Jes Kristian Jørgensen, Robert Gutermuth
+28 more Yusuke Aso, Henrik Beuther, Leslie W. Looney, David A. Neufeld, Guillem Anglada, Mayra Osorio, Adam E. Rubinstein, Samuel Federman, Lee W Hartmann, Pooneh Nazari, Nicole Karnath, Hendrik Linz, Thomas Stanke, Tyler L. Bourke, Yao-Lun Yang, Rolf Kuiper, Joel D. Green, Pamela Klaassen, Wafa Zakri, Nolan Habel, Nashanty G. C. Brunken, James C. Muzerolle, K. Slavicinska, Amelia M. Stutz, Łukasz Tychoniec, Scott J. Wolk, W. R. M. Rocha, William J. Fischer
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Abstract

Understanding the earliest stage of star and planet formation requires detailed observations to address the connection and interplay between the accretion, outflow and disk evolution. We present results from the observations of the low luminosity ($L_\mathrm{bol}\sim~0.2~L_\odot$) and mass (M$_*\sim$\,0.15~M$_\odot$) Class~0 protostar IRAS 16253$-$2429, conducted as part of the \textit{eDisk} ALMA large program and the JWST cycle-1 GO program \textit{IPA}. Observations reveal a wide hourglass-shaped continuum cavity traced in scattered light (at $\leq$~5~$μ$m), with a brighter, extended northern side. We detect 15 pure rotational H$_2$ transitions (E$_\mathrm{up}$:~1015--21411~K), revealing a wide-angle molecular outflow. {The outflow width (as traced in H$_2$~0-0~S(11)) at the protostellar location measures $\leq$35 au, slightly larger than the dust and Keplerian disk diameters ($\sim$30 au) but wider than the 20--23~au jet width in [Fe II].} {The opening angle narrows from 40--35\arcdeg{} for the low-J H$_2$ lines (up to S(5)) and the cold gas component (ALMA $^{12}$CO) to $\sim$28--19\arcdeg{} for the high-J H$_2$ lines (S(7)--S(11)).} Position-velocity diagrams of H$_2$ reveal higher velocities for higher E$_{up}$, ranging from ~12.5 km~s$^{-1}$ for H$_2$~0-0~S(1) and S(2) to ~28.5 km~s$^{-1}$ for H$_2$~0-0~S(5)~and~S(7) with respect to the mean flow velocity. The nested excitation and velocity structure of the collimated jet and wide angle wind suggest a magnetohydrodynamic wind as a likely launching mechanism, similar to the findings in other protostars and Class II sources. The lower velocity mm CO may be gas from the infalling envelope accelerated outwards by the wide angle wind along the cavity walls.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies Stellar planetary and galactic studies Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Publication details

Journal / source
arXiv (Cornell University)
Publication date
10 February 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Preprint