An unusual outflow around IRAS 16293-2422

The dense dusty molecular cloud core associated with the unusual protostellar source IRAS 16293-1422 (IRAS 1629A) was observed in the J = 2-1 transition of (C-12)O and (C-13)O. These observations indicate that IRAS 1629A is a source of an unusual high-velocity molecular outflow with four separate emission lobes. The morphology and velocity structure of the lobes may suggest the presence of a dual jet or double bipolar outflow system originating from the vicinity of IRAS 1269A. These observations resolve the outflowing gas into numerous high-velocity clumps which are either being continuously accelerated from low to high velocity along the entire length of the flow or are undergoing free-flow expansion.