Observations of V838 Mon and the nearby region in the CO J = 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 transitions

Abstract

We present observations of V838 Mon and its close vicinity in the three lowest rotational transitions of CO. The J = 2-1 and 3-2 data were obtained using the 3 m KOSMA telescope. They include on-the-fly maps covering a large area (~3.4 sq. deg.) around V838 Mon and long integrations on the star position. Complementary observations in the CO J = 1-0 transition were obtained using the 13.7 m Delingha telescope. The star position as well as 25 other points preselected in the near vicinity of the object have been measured in this transition. We report on a detection of two narrow emission components in J = 2-1 and 3-2 transitions at the position of V838 Mon. Lines were found at radial velocities of V_lsr=53.3 km/s and V_lsr=-11.0 km/s. Their origin is unclear. We also shortly discuss results of the observations of the vicinity of V838 Mon.

To appear in ASP Conf. Ser.,The Nature of V838 Mon and its Light Echo, ed. R.L.M. Corradi and U. Munari, 7 pages, 2 figures