The evolution of outflow-envelope interactions in low-mass protostars

We present multiline and continuum observations of the circumstellar environment within 10(4) AU of a sample of protostars to investigate how the effects of outflows on their immediate environment change over time. (CO)-C-12 (1-0) emission probes the high-velocity molecular outflows near the protostars and demonstrates that the outflow opening angle widens as the nascent star evolves. Maps of the (CO)-C-13 (1-0) and HCO+ (1-0) outflow emission show that protostellar winds erode the circumstellar envelope through the entrainment of the outer envelope gas. The spatial and velocity distribution of the dense circumstellar envelope, as well as its mass, is traced by the (CO)-O-18 (1-0) emission and also displays evolutionary changes. We show that outflows are largely responsible for these changes and propose an empirical model for the evolution of outflow-envelope interactions. In addition, some of the outflows in our sample appear to affect the chemical composition of the surrounding environment, enhancing the HCO+ abundance. Overall, our results confirm that outflows play a major role in the star formation process through their strong physical and chemical impacts on the environments of the young protostars.