Letter to the Editor

Submillimeter spectroscopy of southern hot cores: NGC 6334(I) and G327.3-0.6

¹ Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany e-mail: [schilke;ccomito;sthorwirth;wyrowski;kmenten;guesten]@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de
² European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordova 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago, Chile e-mail: [pbergman;lnyman]@eso.org

Received: 10 April 2006
Accepted: 27 April 2006

Abstract

Context.High-mass star-forming regions are known to have a rich molecular spectrum from many species. Some of the very highly excited lines are emitted from very hot and dense gas close to the central object(s).

Aims.The physics and chemistry of the inner cores of two high mass star forming regions, NGC 6334(I) and G327.3-0.6, shall be characterized.

Methods.Submillimeter line surveys with the APEX telescope provide spectra which sample many molecular lines at high excitation stages.

Results.Partial spectral surveys were obtained, the lines were identified, physical parameters were determined through fitting of the spectra.

Conclusions.Both sources show similar spectra that are comparable to that of the only other high mass star forming region ever surveyed in this frequency range, Orion-KL, but with an even higher line density. Evidence for very compact, very hot sources is found.