The structure of the W49A molecular cloud complex - Burst of star formation in the 100,000-solar-mass core

Details The structure of the W49A molecular cloud complex - Burst of star formation in the 100,000-solar-mass core The structure of the W49A molecular cloud complex - Burst of star formation in the 100,000-solar-mass core

Jun 1986

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986apj...305..353m&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 305, June 1, 1986, p. 353-362.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

25

Astronomical Maps, Hydrogen Clouds, Molecular Clouds, Stellar Evolution, Absorption Spectra, Astronomical Spectroscopy, Emission Spectra, Gravitational Collapse, Line Spectra, Nebulae, Spectral Energy Distribution, Spectral Resolution, Water Masers

Scientific paper

We have observed the CS (J = 1-0), C34S (J = 1-0), and H51α emission toward the W49A molecular cloud complex in an area of 3' x 2' (α × δ) with a resolution of 33". The CS emitting region is 100" × 80" or 6.7 pc × 5.4 pc (α × δ ) at the half-maximum level. The CS emission is strong toward the compact continuum sources, and its distribution is similar to that of the 1 mm continuum. In contrast to the CO emission which is self-absorbed due to the foreground cold gas, the CS optical depth of the foreground gas is small. So the two CS peaks at VLSR = 4 km s-1 and 12 km s-1 implies that there are two dense molecular clouds toward W49A. The brighter 12 km s1 cloud peaks 35" southeast of W49A IRS, the infrared and H2O/OH maser sources associated with the compact H II region, while the 4 km s-1 cloud has a peak at W49A IRS. The hydrogen column density through the C34S emitting region is (0.3-1.7) × 1024 cm-2 2 The estimated core mass of the W49A molecular cloud is (0.5-2.5) × 105 Msun. This mass is closely packed in a small region 3.4 pc in diameter and is about an order of magnitude larger than the virial mass of the system. The massive core should collapse within 105 yr unless there is some supporting mechanism. There was a sudden increase in the star formation rate 104 -105 yr ago, suggesting a triggered burst of star formation occurring in the core of W49A. The collision of the two clouds might have triggered the formation of this massive core and the burst of star formation.

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