Discovery of thionylimide, HNSO, in space: the first N-, S- and O-bearing interstellar molecule

Abstract

We present the first detection in space of thionylimide (HNSO) toward the Galactic Center molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027, thanks to the superb sensitivity of an ultradeep molecular line survey carried out with the Yebes 40m and IRAM 30m telescopes. This molecule is the first species detected in the interstellar medium containing, simultaneously, N, S and O. We have identified numerous $K$${}_a$ = 0, 1 and 2 transitions belonging to HNSO covering from $J$${}_{\mathrm{up}}$ = 2 to $J$${}_{\mathrm{up}}$ = 10, including several completely unblended features. We derive a molecular column density of $N$ = (8 $\pm$ 1)$\times$10${}^{13}$ cm${}^{-2}$, yielding a fractional abundance relative to H${}_2$ of $\sim$6$\times$10${}^{-10}$, which is about $\sim$37 and $\sim$4.8 times less abundant than SO and SO2, respectively. Although there are still many unknowns in the interstellar chemistry of NSO-bearing molecules, we propose that HNSO is likely formed through the reaction of the NSO radical and atomic H on the surface of icy grains, with alternative routes also deserving exploration. Finally, HNSO appears as a promising link between N- , S- and O- interstellar chemistry and its discovery paves the route to the detection of a new family of molecules in space.

Forthcoming paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters (in press)

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