Through the magnifying glass: ALMA acute viewing of the intricate
  nebular architecture of OH231.8+4.2
  We present continuum and molecular line emission ALMA observations of OH
231.8+4.2, a well studied bipolar nebula around an asymptotic giant branch
(AGB) star. The high angular resolution (~0.2-0.3 arcsec) and sensitivity of
our ALMA maps provide the most detailed and accurate description of the overall
nebular structure and kinematics of this object to date. We have identified a
number of outflow components previously unknown. Species studied in this work
include 12CO, 13CO, CS, SO, SO2, OCS, SiO, SiS, H3O+, Na37Cl, and CH3OH. The
molecules Na37Cl and CH3OH are first detections in OH 231.8+4.2, with CH3OH
being also a first detection in an AGB star. Our ALMA maps bring to light the
totally unexpected position of the mass-losing AGB star (QX Pup) relative to
the large-scale outflow. QX Pup is enshrouded within a compact (<60 AU) parcel
of dust and gas (clump S) in expansion (V~5-7 km/s) that is displaced by
0.6arcsec to the south of the dense equatorial region (or waist) where the
bipolar lobes join. Our SiO maps disclose a compact bipolar outflow that
emerges from QX Pup's vicinity. This outflow is oriented similarly to the
large-scale nebula but the expansion velocities are about ten times lower (~35
km/s). We deduce short kinematical ages for the SiO outflow, ranging from
~50-80 yr, in regions within ~150 AU, to ~400-500 yr at the lobe tips (~3500
AU). Adjacent to the SiO outflow, we identify a small-scale hourglass-shaped
structure (mini-hourglass) that is probably made of compressed ambient material
formed as the SiO outflow penetrates the dense, central regions of the nebula.
The lobes and the equatorial waist of the mini-hourglass are both radially
expanding with a constant velocity gradient. The mini-waist is characterized by
extremely low velocities, down to ~1 km/s at ~150 AU, which tentatively suggest
the presence of a stable structure. (abridged)
