Gas infall and possible circumstellar rotation in R Leonis

Journal article, 2019

We present new interferometer molecular observations of R Leo taken at 1.2 mm with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array with an angular resolution up to similar or equal to 0.'' 026. These observations permitted us to resolve the innermost envelope of this star, which revealed a complex structure that involves extended continuum emission and molecular emission showing a non-radial gas velocity distribution. This molecular emission displays prominent red-shifted absorptions located immediately in front of the star, which are typical footprints of material infall. This emission also shows lateral gas motions compatible with a torus-like structure.