An optical and near-infrared exploration of the star formation region in Cygnus surrounding RNO 127^*

¹ Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, 378433 Aragatsotn reg., Armenia e-mail: tigmov@bao.sci.am
² Isaac Newton Institute of Chile, Armenian Branch e-mail: tigmag@sci.am
³ Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany e-mail: khtig@mpia-hd.mpg.de
⁴ Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DG, Northern Ireland, UK e-mail: mds@star.arm.ac.uk

Corresponding author: T. Khanzadyan, khtig@mpia-hd.mpg.de

Received: 8 April 2003
Accepted: 22 August 2003

Abstract

We investigate a relatively unstudied star formation region in Cygnus centered on RNO 127, finding numerous Herbig-Haro flows, many identified in optical [SII], Hα, and near-infrared H₂ tracers of shock waves. Several protostars and young stars are thus located, including one conspicuously brightened object, which illuminates a variable reflection nebula. In total, the coordinates of 17 optical HH knots and jets, 4 associated cometary nebulae and 3 NIR objects are given. Individual structures are discussed including a central complex which has the characteristics of superposed HH flows. This star-forming cloud is not isolated but is part of a much larger region of distributed star formation, including HH 380 and HH 381.