Triggered Star Formation in the Carina Flare Supershell: Molecular Cloud Mapping and the Search for Dense Molecular Cores
Abstract
The Carina Flare is a ~300x400pc supershell located in the Carina arm, and is a rare example of a supershell with associated molecular matter in which triggered star formation appears to be occurring (Fukui et al. 1999). An unbiased 12CO survey with the NANTEN 4m telescope revealed at least 180 distinct clouds, with a total molecular mass of 10^5Msol. IRAS YSO candidates are associated with several dense 13CO clumps, and observations with the SEST telescope have revealed a molecular outflow and dense C18O core associated with the most luminous IRAS source (L~8000Lsol), indicating that massive star formation is occurring in the shell. 285.9+4.53 is a particularly interesting molecular cloud, showing strong evidence of intermediate mass star formation and with a morphology that suggests formation by compression in the shell walls. We propose detailed 12CO, 13CO and C18O mapping of the central regions of 285.9+4.53 to search for evidence of outflows and dense C18O cores, and to investigate its small-scale structure. At the derived distance of 2.6kpc, Mopra's beam size corresponds to ~0.4pc, making it well suited to the aims of this study.
- Publication:
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ATNF Proposal
- Pub Date:
- April 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006atnf.prop..304D
- Keywords:
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- Galactic;
- Mopra