Determine the origin of compact SO component 2

Determine whether compact SO component 2 emission in the central molecular zone of NGC 253 arises from post-shocked gas or warm quiescent gas.

Background

The observed H2CS component 2/SO component 2 ratio is reproduced by both post-shock and static starburst models under broad ranges of physical conditions. Consequently, the chemical modelling cannot discriminate between a post-shock interpretation and warm quiescent gas, motivating observations with higher angular resolution.

References

Hence, we cannot conclude whether that SO$_{\mathrm{comp2}$ comes from a post-shocked or a warm quiescent gas. Higher angular resolution observations may be necessary to disentangle the two possibilities.

— Sulphur within the extreme environment of the central molecular zone of NGC 253: a chemical modelling approach  (2609.01162 - Bouvier et al., 1 Sep 2026) in Section 4.2.3, paragraph “H2S and SOcomp2”