Effects of shock waves in the interstellar medium
Abstract
In this Thesis, we study the effects on the interstellar medium of shock waves produced by massive stars during different stages of their evolution. We investigate the interaction between HII regions, interstellar bubbles, and supernova remnants and the surrounding medium and we analize the star forming activity to establish if they can trigger star formation around them. We study the distribution of the molecular gas around the supernova remnants G20.0-0.2 and G24.7+0.6 and we find molecular clouds probably shocked by the remnants. These clouds host star forming regions, which suggest a connection between the birth of the new stars and the expansion of the supernova remnants. We analyze the distribution of the interstellar medium around three HII regions (an HII region complex near the supernova remnant G18.8+0.3 and the HII regions N65 and G35.673-0.847) and we find shells of molecular material swept up by their front shocks. These shells show signs of star forming activity probably triggered by the expanding HII regions. Lastly, we find evidence of the interaction between the stellar winds of the LBV stars G24.73+0.69 and G26.47+0.02 and the surrounding molecular gas. The data used in this Thesis were obtained through dedicated observations of several molecular transitions with the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) and through the calibration of unpublished archival observations of the Chandra X-ray telescope and the VLA interferometer. Additional data were extracted from public surveys in the radio, infrared, millimeter and submillimeter bands.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013PhDT.......272P
- Keywords:
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- massive stars;
- HII regions;
- supernova remnants;
- molecular clouds;
- star formation