Near-infrared observations of outflows and young stellar objects in the massive star-forming region AFGL 5180
Journal article, 2024

Context. Massive stars play important roles throughout the universe; however, their formation remains poorly understood. Observations of jets and outflows in high-mass star-forming regions, as well as surveys of young stellar object (YSO) content, can help test theoretical models of massive star formation. Aims. We aim at characterizing the massive star-forming region AFGL 5180 in the near-infrared (NIR), identifying outflows and relating these to sub-mm/mm sources, as well as surveying the overall YSO surface number density to compare to massive star formation models. Methods. Broad- and narrow-band imaging of AFGL 5180 was made in the NIR with the Large Binocular Telescope, in both seeing-limited (~0.5′) and high angular resolution (~0.09′) Adaptive Optics (AO) modes, as well as with the Hubble Space Telescope. Archival continuum data from the Atacama Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) was also utilized. Results. At least 40 jet knots were identified via NIR emission from H2 and [FeII] tracing shocked gas. Bright jet knots outflowing from the central most massive protostar, S4 (estimated mass ~11 M⊙, via SED fitting), are detected towards the east of the source and are resolved in fine detail with the AO imaging. Additional knots are distributed throughout the field, likely indicating the presence of multiple driving sources. Sub-millimeter sources detected by ALMA are shown to be grouped in two main complexes, AFGL 5180 M and a small cluster ~15′ (0.15 pc in projection) to the south, AFGL 5180 S. From our NIR continuum images we identify YSO candidates down to masses of ~0.1 M⊙. Combined with the sub-mm sources, this yields a surface number density of such YSOs of N* ~ 103pc-2 within a projected radius of about 0.1 pc. Such a value is similar to those predicted by models of both core accretion from a turbulent clump environment and competitive accretion. The radial profile of N* is relatively flat on scales out to 0.2 pc, with only modest enhancement around the massive protostar inside 0.05 pc, which provides additional constraints on these massive star formation models. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the utility of high-resolution NIR imaging, in particular with AO, for detecting outflow activity and YSOs in distant regions. The presented images reveal the complex morphology of outflow-shocked gas within the large-scale bipolar flow of a massive protostar, as well as clear evidence for several other outflow driving sources in the region. Finally, this work presents a novel approach to compare the observed YSO surface number density from our study against different models of massive star formation.

techniques: high angular resolution

infrared: stars

stars: formation

stars: individual: AFGL 5180

ISM: jets and outflows

stars: protostars

Author

S. Crowe

University of Virginia

Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA)

R. Fedriani

Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA)

Jonathan Tan

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

University of Virginia

M. Whittle

University of Virginia

Y. Zhang

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

A. Caratti o. Garatti

Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte

J. P. Farias

The University of Texas at Austin

A. Gautam

University of Virginia

Z. Telkamp

University of Virginia

B. Rothberg

George Mason University

US Naval Observatory

M. Grudić

Carnegie Observatories

Morten Andersen

NOIRLab

Giuliana Cosentino

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

R. Garcia-Lopez

University College Dublin

Viviana Rosero

National Radio Astronomy Observatory Socorro

Kei E.I. Tanaka

Tokyo Institute of Technology

E. Pinna

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

F. Rossi

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

D. Miller

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

G. Agapito

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

C. Plantet

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

E. Ghose

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

J. Christou

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

United States Gemini Office

J. Power

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

A. Puglisi

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

R. Briguglio

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

G. Brusa

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

G. Taylor

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

X. Zhang

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

T. Mazzoni

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

M. Bonaglia

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

S. Esposito

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

ADaptive Optics National laboratory in Italy (ADONI)

C. Veillet

Large Binocular Telescope Observatory

Astronomy and Astrophysics

0004-6361 (ISSN) 1432-0746 (eISSN)

Vol. 682 A2

Shock Compressions in the Interstellar Medium as triggers of Star Formation

Swedish Research Council (VR) (2021-05589), 2022-01-01 -- 2023-12-31.

Subject Categories

Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics

DOI

10.1051/0004-6361/202348094

More information

Latest update

3/15/2024