Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters

Details Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters

2010-03-26

arxiv.org/abs/1003.5102v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

26 pages, 14 figures, 9 tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, small corrections implemented

Scientific paper

The earliest phases of massive star formation are found in cold and dense infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). Since the detection method of IRDCs is very sensitive to the local properties of the background emission, we present here an alternative method to search for high column density in the Galactic plane by using infrared extinction maps. We find clouds between 1 and 5 kpc, of which many were missed by previous surveys. By studying the physical conditions of a subsample of these clouds, we aim at a better understanding of the initial conditions of massive star formation. We made extinction maps of the Galactic plane based on the 3.6-4.5 microns color excess between the two shortest wavelength Spitzer IRAC bands, reaching to visual extinctions of ~100 mag and column densities of 9x10^22 cm^-2. From this we compiled a new sample of cold and compact high extinction clouds. We used the MAMBO array at the IRAM 30m telescope to study the morphology, masses and densities of the clouds and the dense clumps within them. The latter were followed up by pointed ammonia observations with the 100m Effelsberg telescope, to determine rotational temperatures and kinematic distances. Extinction maps of the Galactic plane trace large scale structures such as the spiral arms. The 1.2 mm emission maps reveal that the high extinction clouds contain extended cold dust emission, from filamentary structures to still diffuse clouds. Most of the clouds are dark in 24 microns, but several show already signs of star formation via maser emission or bright infrared sources, suggesting that the high extinction clouds contain a variety of evolutionary stages. The observations suggest an evolutionary scheme from dark, cold and diffuse clouds, to clouds with a stronger 1.2 mm peak and to finally clouds with many strong 1.2 mm peaks, which are also warmer, more turbulent and already have some star formation signposts.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Initial phases of massive star formation in high infrared extinction clouds. I. Physical parameters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-182344