Molecular ions in the O-rich evolved star OH231.8+4.2: HCO^+,H^{13}CO^+ and first detection of SO^+, N_2H^+, and H_3O^+

OH 231.8+4.2, a bipolar outflow around a Mira-type variable star, displays a unique molecular richness amongst circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) around O-rich AGB and post-AGB stars. We report line observations of the HCO+ and H13CO+ molecular ions and the first detection of SO+, N2H+, and (tentatively) H3O+ in this source. SO+... Show more