2002MNRAS.331..893C

The globule CB34, which harbours a cluster of class 0 young stellar object (YSO) protostars, has been investigated through a multiline SO and SiO survey at millimetre wavelengths. The SO data reveal that the globule consists of three quiescent high-density (∼10⁵ cm^–3) clumps, labelled A, B and C, with sizes of ∼0.2-0.3pc. The SiO data provide evidence for high-velocity gas across the globule. Most likely, the high-velocity gas is distributed in three distinct high-velocity outflows associated with the YSOs in each of the three clumps. High-velocity SO features have been detected only towards the two brightest SiO outflows. These broad SO components exhibit spatial and spectral distributions which are consistent with those of the SiO emission, so they can also be used as tracers of the outflows.

The comparison between the spatial and spectral properties of the SO and SiO emissions in the three clumps suggests different evolutionary stages for the embedded YSOs. In particular, the YSO associated with clump C exhibits some peculiarities, namely smaller SiO linewidths, lower SiO column densities, a lack of extended SiO structure and of SO wings, and the presence of a SO spatial distribution which is displaced with respect to the location of the YSO. This behaviour is well explained if the SiO and SO molecules which were produced at high velocities in the shocked region have been destroyed or slowed down because of the interaction with the ambient medium, and the chemistry is dominated again by low-temperature reactions. Thus our observations strongly suggest that the YSO in clump C is in a more evolved phase than the other members of the cluster.