EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 427/3 Article
Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 427, Number 3, December I 2004
Page(s) 839 - 847
Section Interstellar and circumstellar matter
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20040523



A&A 427, 839-847 (2004)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20040523

Triggered massive star formation in the vicinity of WR 48a

J. S. Clark1 and J. M. Porter2

1  Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, England, UK
    e-mail: jsc@star.ucl.ac.uk
2  Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Twelve Quays House, Egerton Wharf, Birkenhead, CH41 1LD, UK

(Received 25 March 2004 / Accepted 23 July 2004)

Abstract
We utilise Midcourse Space Experiment mid-IR imaging and published data to discuss the (massive) star formation region at galactic longitude ~305°, apparently associated with the Wolf Rayet WR 48a and the attendant clusters Danks 1 and 2 . A spectacular three lobed wind blown bubble surrounds the aforementioned sources, for which we may infer a minimum age of ~3 Myr from the presence of the WCL star. Near IR data reveals the presence of numerous embedded sources on the periphery of the wind blown bubble. The presence of coincindent H 2O, OH and methanol maser emission is suggestive of ongoing massive star formation, which is suppported by the fluxes of the associated IR sources, and the requisite LyC flux required to support the emission from the subset that have associated ucH II regions. Consideration of the integrated radio flux of the complex implies that a minimum of 31 O7V stars must be present, under the assumption of no photon leakage. Given the age and morphology of the complex and in particular the observation that the central exciting clusters have entirely cleared their natal material, we expect this assumption will be violated, and hence that the true population of massive stars is likely to be significantly larger. If confirmed, the G305 complex represents one of the most massive regions of ongoing triggered star formation currently identified in the galaxy.


Key words: stars: Wolf-Rayet -- stars: individual: WR 48a -- stars: formation -- ISM: H II regions

SIMBAD Objects



© ESO 2004


What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.