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Title: A 16 au Binary in the Class 0 Protostar L1157 MMS
Abstract

We present Very Large Array observations toward the Class 0 protostar L1157 MMS at 6.8 and 9 mm with a resolution of ∼0.″04 (14 au). We detect two sources within L1157 MMS and interpret these sources as a binary protostar with a separation of ∼16 au. The material directly surrounding the binary system within the inner 50 au radius of the system has an estimated mass of 0.11M, calculated from the observed dust emission. We interpret the observed binary system in the context of previous observations of its flattened envelope structure, low rates of envelope rotation from 5000 to 200 au scales, and an ordered, poloidal magnetic field aligned with the outflow. Thus, L1157 MMS is a prototype system for magnetically regulated collapse, and the presence of a compact binary within L1157 MMS demonstrates that multiple star formation can still occur within envelopes that likely have dynamically important magnetic fields.

 
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Award ID(s):
1814762 2108794 1910364
NSF-PAR ID:
10364436
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal
Volume:
928
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0004-637X
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: Article No. 61
Size(s):
["Article No. 61"]
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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