Issue |
A&A
Volume 472, Number 3, September IV 2007
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 835 - 846 | |
Section | Interstellar and circumstellar matter | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20077474 | |
Published online | 09 July 2007 |
Triggered star formation on the borders of the Galactic H ii region RCW 120 *,**
1
Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, 2 place Le Verrier, 13248 Marseille Cedex 4, France e-mail: annie.zavagno@oamp.fr
2
Division of Theoretical Astrophysics, National Astronomical Observatory, 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan
Received:
14
March
2007
Accepted:
21
May
2007
Context.To investigate the process of star formation triggered by the expansion of an H ii region, we present a multi-wavelength analysis of the Galactic H ii region RCW 120 and its surroundings. The collect and collapse model predicts that the layer of gas and dust accumulated between the ionization and shock fronts during the expansion of the H ii region collapses and forms dense fragments, giving rise to potential sites of massive-star formation.
Aims.The aim of our study is to look for such massive fragments and massive young stars on the borders of RCW 120.
Methods.We mapped the RCW 120 region in the cold dust continuum emission at 1.2 mm to search for these fragments. We supplemented this study with the available near- (2MASS) and mid-IR (GLIMPSE) data to locate the IR sources observed towards this region and to analyse their properties. We then compared the observational results with the predictions of Hosokawa & Inutsuka's model (2005, ApJ, 623, 917; 2006, ApJ, 646, 240).
Results.At 1.2 mm we detected eight fragments towards this region, five located on its borders. The largest fragment has a mass of
about 370 . Class I and Class II young stellar objects are detected
all over the region, with some observed far from the ionization front.
This result emphasises
the possible importance of distant interactions between the radiation, escaping from the ionized region, and the
surrounding medium.
Key words: stars: formation / stars: early-type / ISM: H ii regions / ISM: individual objects: RCW 120
© ESO, 2007
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