2010A&A...520A..84P -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 520, A84-84 (2010/9-2)
W49A: a starburst triggered by expanding shells.
PENG T.-C., WYROWSKI F., VAN DER TAK F.F.S., MENTEN K.M. and WALMSLEY C.M.
Abstract (from CDS):
W49A is a giant molecular cloud which harbors some of the most luminous embedded clusters in the Galaxy. However, the explanation for this starburst-like phenomenon is still under debate. We investigated large-scale Spitzer mid-infrared images together with a Galatic Ring Survey 13CO J=1-0 image, complemented with higher resolution (∼11'') 13CO J=2-1 and C18O J=2-1 images over a ∼15x13pc2 field obtained with the IRAM 30m telescope. Two expanding shells have been identified in the mid-infrared images, and confirmed in the position-velocity diagrams made from the 13CO J=2-1 and C18O J=2-1 data. The mass of the averaged expanding shell, which has an inner radius of ≃3.3pc and a thickness of ≃0.41pc, is about 1.9x104M☉. The total kinetic energy of the expanding shells is estimated to be ∼1049erg, which is probably provided by a few massive stars, whose radiation pressure and/or strong stellar winds drive the shells. The expanding shells are likely to have a common origin close to the two ultracompact HII regions (source O and source N), and their expansion speed is estimated to be ∼5km/s, resulting in an age of ∼3-7x105 years. In addition, on larger (∼35x50pc2) scales, remnants of two gas ejections have been identified in the 13CO J=1-0 data. Both ejections seem to have the same center as the expanding shells with a total energy of a few times 1050erg. The main driving mechanism for the gas ejections is unclear, but likely related to the mechanism which triggers the starburst in W49A.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
stars formation - HII regions - ISM: bubbles
Simbad objects:
26
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