Very Cold and Massive Cores near ISOSS J18364-0221: Implications for the Initial Conditions of High-Mass Star Formation
Publication date: 20 January 2006
Authors: Birkmann, S.M. et al.
Journal: Astrophysical Journal
Volume: 637
Issue: 1
Page: 380-383
Year: 2006
Copyright: The American Astronomical Society
We report the discovery of two very cold and massive molecular cloud cores in the region ISOSS J18364-0221. The object has been identified by a systematic search for very early evolutionary stages of high-mass stars using the 170 micron ISOPHOT Serendipity Survey (ISOSS). Submillimeter continuum and molecular line measurements reveal two compact cores within this region. The first core has a temperature of 16.5 K, shows signs of ongoing infall and outflows, has no near- or mid-infrared counterpart, and is massive enough (M~75 Msolar) to form at least one O star with an associated cluster. It is therefore considered a candidate for a genuine high-mass protostar and a high-mass analog to the Class 0 objects. The second core has an average gas and dust temperature of only ~12 K and a mass of M~280 Msolar. Its temperature and level of turbulence are below the values found for massive cores so far, and we suggest that this represents the initial conditions from which high-mass star formation occurs.
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