Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-11-14
2011, ApJL, 743, L28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
13 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Accepted to ApJL
Scientific paper
10.1088/2041-8205/743/2/L28
Young OB associations with masses greater than 10$^4$ M$_{\sun}$ have been inferred to exist in the Galaxy but have largely evaded detection. Recently, a candidate OB association has been identified within the most luminous star forming complex in the Galaxy, the Dragonfish Nebula. We identify 18 young, massive stars with near-infrared spectroscopy from a sample of 50 members within the candidate OB association, including 15 O-type, and three Luminous Blue Variables or Wolf-Rayet stars. This number matches the expected yield of massive stars from the candidate association, confirming its existence and ability to power the parent star forming complex. These results demonstrate the existence of a 10$^5$ M$_{\sun}$ OB association, more powerful than any previously known in the Galaxy, comparable in mass only to Westerlund 1. Further, the results also validate the color selection method used to identify the association, adding credence to others discovered in the same way.
Matzner Christopher D.
Moon Dae-Sik
Rahman Mubdi
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