A High-Resolution Study of the W3 Molecular Cloud Core

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Using the Owens Valley millimeter interferometer, we have observed W3 in the \h40a, HCN, HNC, and CS transitions at 3 mm at 3'' resolution. We have also observed the \c34s\ transition at 10'' resolution. Three fields were mapped covering an area of about 2' east-west by 1.5' north-south. encompassing the core of the molecular cloud and surrounding the compact H II regions W3(B) and W3(C). The molecular maps show eight condensations with sizes ranging from ~ 4'' to over 20'' and virial masses from roughly 20 to 500 M\sun. Apparent optical depths in CS determined from the \c34s/C(32) S flux ratios are typically 2--4, though a value of about 20 is seen in the largest observed condensation (15'' south of W3(C)). Several regions stand out as quite disparate in the relative intensities of the HCN/HNC/CS transitions, suggesting significant variations in the relative abundances of these molecules throughout the cloud core. The most dramatic case is W3 IRS 5, a possible protostar with supersonic molecular outflows. At the position of IRS 5, the integrated intensity of HCN reaches its greatest value in the mapped area; however, HNC is completely undetected, and, while a strong CS condensation is present 4'' north-east of IRS 5, no CS emission associated with IRS 5 itself is detected. The 3sigma upper limit to the HNC/HCN abundance ratio is determined to be 0.25 in this region, assuming similar excitation temperatures for the two species. Furthermore, the HCN emission at IRS 5 exhibits a very broad line-width ( ~ 20 km s(-1) ); the other clumps show line-widths of 2--5 km s(-1) , more typical of cold, turbulent molecular clumps.

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