Comparing Complex Chemistry in Neighboring Hot Cores: NOEMA Studies of W3(H2O) and W3(OH)

This paper presents NOEMA observations of the neighboring hot cores W3(H2O) and W3(OH). The presence of two star-forming cores at different evolutionary stages within the same parent cloud presents a unique opportunity to study how the physics of the source impacts the chemistry. Through spectral analysis and imaging, we identify over twenty molecules in these cores. We have imaged the molecular emission, revealing several new structural features within these sources. Most notably, W3(OH) shows absorption in a “dusty cocoon” surrounded by molecular emission. These observations also reveal new extended emission features that are indicative of either a second outflow or a low velocity shock. From the information obtained herein, we have also constructed column density and temperature maps for methanol and compared this information to the molecular images.