Multi-line (sub)millimetre observations of the high-mass proto cluster IRAS 05358+3543

Context: Since most high- and intermediate-mass protostars are at great distance and form in clusters, high linear resolution observations are needed to investigate their physical properties.
Aims: To study the gas in the innermost region around the protostars in the proto-cluster IRAS 05358+3543, we observed the source in several transitions of methanol and other molecular species with the Plateau de Bure Interferometer and the Submillimeter Array, reaching a linear resolution of 1100 AU.
Methods: We determine the kinetic temperature of the gas around the protostars through an LVG and LTE analysis of their molecular emission; the column densities of CH3OH, CH3CN and SO2 are also derived. Constraints on the density of the gas are estimated for two of the protostellar cores.
Results: We find that the dust condensations are in various evolutionary stages. The powerhouse of the cluster, mm1a, harbours a hot core with T∼ 220~(75<T<330) K. A double-peaked profile is detected in several transitions toward mm1a, and we found a velocity gradient along a linear structure which could be perpendicular to one of the outflows from the vicinity of mm1a. Since the size of the double-peaked emission is less than 1100 AU, we suggest that mm1a might host a massive circumstellar disk. The other sources are in earlier stages of star formation. The least active source, mm3, could be a starless massive core, since it is cold (T<20 K), with a large reservoir of accreting material (M∼ 19~M_⊙), but no molecular emission peaks on it.

UV tables of interferometer maps plus IRAM 30-m map are only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/475/925