Four super-giant shells in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Abstract
Four supergiant shell-like H II regions with diameters of the order of 1 kpc have been identified in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The statistics of these regions are compared with those of smaller gaseous objects in the LMC and with features in the H I distribution and the distribution of O and B stars. It is shown that the four supergiant H II shells appear to be associated with similar features in the H I distribution as well as with extensive OB associations. The geometrical structure of the shells is discussed, and sources of energy for the formation of such very large shell-like structures are considered. It is concluded that whatever the energy source, a mechanism appears to be operating which is capable of disturbing the interstellar material of the LMC on a linear scale equal to the dimensions of its spiral arms and apparently producing volumes in which secondary star formation has occurred.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978A&A....68..189G
- Keywords:
-
- B Stars;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- O Stars;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- H Ii Regions;
- Hydrogen Ions;
- Nebulae;
- Surface Temperature;
- Astrophysics;
- H I Regions:Magellanic Clouds;
- H II Regions:Magellanic Clouds;
- Magellanic Clouds:OB Associations