Lu, X, Zhang, Q, Kauffmann, J, Pillai, T, Longmore, SN, Kruijssen, JMD and Battersby, C (2017) Deeply Embedded Protostellar Population in the Central Molecular Zone Suggested by H$_2$O Masers and Dense Cores. In: Proceedings of IAU Symposium , 11 (322). pp. 99-102. (IAU Symposium 322, The Multi-Messenger Astrophysics of the Galactic Centre, 18-22 July 2016, Cairns, Australia).

Preview

Text 1609.08240v1.pdf - Accepted Version Download (253kB) | Preview

Abstract

The Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), usually referring to the inner 500 pc of the Galaxy, contains a dozen of massive ($\sim10^5$ $M_\odot$) molecular clouds. Are these clouds going to actively form stars like Sgr B2? How are they affected by the extreme physical conditions in the CMZ, such as strong turbulence? Here we present a first step towards answering these questions. Using high-sensitivity, high angular resolution radio and (sub)millimeter observations, we studied deeply embedded star formation in six massive clouds in the CMZ, including the 20 and 50 km s$^{-1}$ clouds, Sgr B1 off (as known as dust ridge clouds e/f), Sgr C, Sgr D, and G0.253-0.016. The VLA water maser observations suggest a population of deeply embedded protostellar candidates, many of which are new detections. The SMA 1.3 mm continuum observations reveal peaks in dust emission associated with the masers, suggesting the existence of dense cores. While our findings confirm that clouds such as G0.253-0.016 lack internal compact substructures and are quiescent in terms of star formation, two clouds (the 20 km s$^{-1}$ cloud and Sgr C) stand out with clusters of water masers with associated dense cores which may suggest a population of deeply embedded protostars at early evolutionary phases. Follow-up observations with VLA and ALMA are necessary to confirm their protostellar nature.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	astro-ph.GA; astro-ph.GA
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Astrophysics Research Institute
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Related URLs:	http://arxiv.org/abs/1609.08240v1
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2016 10:55
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2022 15:14
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/4216

View Item