CO J=2-1 observations of three southern star formation regions.
Abstract
The authors present CO J = 2-1 mapping and spectroscopy for three southern star formation regions. In one of these, NGC 6334, they find broadly similar line strengths and profiles to those at J = 1-0, and use both these, 13CO J = 1-0 measures, and various assumptions concerning the dynamical state of the gas to place constraints upon masses, densities, and velocity gradients in the primary star formation centres. NGC 6193 appears to contain a compact CO cloud with rather interesting dynamical properties. It is possible that we are witnessing compression and dissipation of placental material by protostellar winds. The level of disruption however appears to be quite modest, with line cores having typical widths <3 km s-1. Finally, the moderately bright rim structure IC 4628 is shown to define the edges of a warm and extensive CO cloud, with gas kinetic temperatures exceeding Tk ≡ 30K, and overall size >45 arcmin. The main heating for this cloud probably derives from several strong embedded FIR sources, although contributions from a scattering of lower luminosity stars may also be important. The integrated line strength is found to take a maximum close to the associated cluster Tr 24.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- September 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986A&AS...65..465P
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Maps;
- Carbon Monoxide;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Star Formation;
- Infrared Sources (Astronomy);
- Molecular Clouds;
- Protostars;
- Stellar Winds;
- Astrophysics