Characterizing outflows from low-mass object Chamaeleon-MMS1

In the study of low-mass star formation, a pivotal object is being sought: the first hydrostatic core (FSHC). Theoretical models predict that FSHCs are the direct precursors of protostars prior to the onset of nuclear fusion, are extremely short-lived, very faint (0.01-0.1 Lsun), and drive a very weak molecular outflow. Several candidates have been identified in recent years, one of which is Chalmaeleon-MMS1 (Cha-MMS1). We have studied this object using moderately-high resolution (~0.5'' or 75 au) Cycle 2 ALMA observations of outflow and dense gas tracers. We find clear evidence of weak outflows in CO and 13CO, and of their interactions with the surrounding cloud through CS, H2CO and CH3OH emission. H2CO is detected toward the continuum source with a rotational temperature of ~70K, but CH3OH is not detected toward the source, indicating a very weak protostar. The outflows have several orders of magnitude lower kinetic energy and mechanical luminosity than Class 0 objects and even fellow FSHC candidate L1448, making this among the earliest protostellar object detected. The red and blue components are also very disorganized implying that the early years are a chaotic period for outflows.