A New Interpretation of the Bipolar HII Region S106 from HCN J = 3 - 2 Mapping Observations

The first mapping observations of the bipolar HII region S106 in HCN J = 3 - 2 line were made by KOSMA submillimeter telescope in April, 2004. The results show that there is a bipolar outflow centered on the high-mass star S106 IRS4 and that the flat structure of molecular cloud core is perpendicular to the axis of the outflow. This image roughly corresponds to the optical image where a dark lane bisects the bipolar HII region. Together with the optical, infrared and radio data, we conclude that the central UC HII region and molecular outflow formed before the two lobes of the bipolar HII region, and that a neutral disk is responsible for the bipolar HII region and the outflow.

Multi-wavelength study of two possible cloud-cloud collision regions: IRAS 02459+6029 and IRAS 22528+5936

Based on observations of 12CO (J=2–1), we select targets from archived Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) data of IRAS 02459+6029 and IRAS 22528+5936 as samples of cloud-cloud collision, according to the criteria given by Vallee. Then we use the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) A band (8.28 μm) images and the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) (1.4 GHz) continuum images to investigate the association between molecular clouds traced by the CO contour maps. The distribution of dust and ionized hydrogen shows an obvious association with the CO contour maps toward IRAS 02459+6029. However, in the possible collision region of IRAS 22528+5936, NVSS continuum radiation is not detected and the MSX sources are merely associated with the central star. The velocity fields of the two regions indicate the direction of the pressure and interaction. In addition, we have identified candidates of young stellar objects (YSOs) by using data from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) in JHK bands expressed in a color-color diagram. The distribution of YSOs shows that the possible collision region is denser than other regions. All the evidence suggests that IRAS 02459+6029 could be an example of cloud-cloud collision, and that IRAS 22528+5936 could be two separate non-colliding clouds.

Do protostellar fountains shape the regional core mass function?

The emerging massive binary system associated with AFGL 961 signifies the latest generation of massive star and cluster formation in the Rosette Molecular Complex. We present the detection of a compact cluster of dusty cores toward the AFGL 961 region based on continuum imaging at 1.3 mm by the Submillimeter Array. The binary components of AFGL 961 are associated with the most intensive millime- ter emission cores or envelopes, confirming that they are indeed in an early stage of evolution. The other massive cores, however, are found to congregate in the close vicinity of the central high-mass protostellar binary. They have no apparent infrared counterparts and are, in particular, well aligned transverse to the bipolar molecular outflows originating from AFGL 961. This provides evidence for a likely triggered origin of the massive cores. All 40 individual cores with masses ranging between 0.6 and 15 Mo were detected above a 3 σ level of 3.6 mJy beam-1 （or 0.4 M⊙）, based on which we derive a total core mass of 107 M⊙ in the AFGL 961 region. As compared to the stellar initial mass function, a shallow slope of 1.8 is, however, derived from the best fit to the mass spectrum of the millimeter cores with a prestellar and/or protostel- lar origin. The flatter core mass distribution in the AFGL 961 region is attributed here to dynamic perturbations from the massive molecular outflows that originated from the massive protostellar binary, which may have altered the otherwise more quiescent conditions of core or star formation, enhanced the formation of more massive cores and, as a result, influenced the core mass distribution in its close vicinity.

C_2H, HC_3N and HNC observations in OMC-2/3

For the first time, the OMC-2/3 region was mapped in C2H （1–0）, HC3N （10–9） and HNC （1–0） lines. In general, the emissions from all the three molecular species reveal an extended filamentary structure. The distribution of C2H cores almost follows that of the 1300μm condensations, which might suggest that C2H is a good tracer to study the core structure of molecular clouds. The core masses traced by HNC are rather ？at, ranging from 18.8 to 49.5 M , while also presenting a large span for those from C2H, ranging from 6.4 to 36.0 M . The line widths of both HNC and C2H look very similar, and both are wider than that of HC3N. The line widths of the three lines are all wider than those from dark clouds, implying that the former is more active than the latter, and has larger turbulence caused by winds and UV radiation from the surrounding massive stars.

A multiwavelength study of the star forming HⅡ region Sh2-82

Based on a multiwavelength study, the interstellar medium and young stel- lar objects （YSOs） around the H II region Sh2-82 have been analyzed. Two molecular clumps were found from the archival data of the Galactic Ring Survey, and using the Two Micron All-Sky Survey catalog, we found two corresponding young clusters embedded in the molecular clumps. The very good relations between CO emission, infrared shells and YSOs suggest that it is probably a triggered star formation region from the expansion of Sh2-82. We further used the data from the Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire from Spitzer to study the YSOs within the two clumps, confirming star formation in this region. By spectral energy distribution fits to each YSO candidate with infrared excess, we derived the slope of the initial mass function. Finally, comparing the H II region＇s dynamical age and the fragmenta- tion time of the molecular shell, we discard the ＂collect and collapse＂ process as being the triggering mechanism for YSO formation. Sh2-82 can be a mixture of other pro- cesses such as radiative-driven implosion and/or collisions with pre-existing clumps.

Near-infrared monitoring and modeling of V1647 Ori in its ongoing 2008–2012 outburst phase

We present results of the Mt Abu JHK photometric and HI Brackett γ line monitoring of the eruptive young stellar object V1647 Orionis （McNeil＇s Object） during its ongoing outburst phase in 2008-2012. We discuss JHK color patterns and extinction during the outburst and compare them with those from the previous out- burst phase in 2004-2005 and in the intervening quiescent period that lasted about 2 yr. Commencing from early 2012, the object has shown a slow fading out in all the bands. We report brightness variations in the nearby Herbig-Haro object HH22 that are possibly associated with those in V1647 Ori. We also present modeling of the spec- tral energy distributions of V 1647 Ori during both its recent outburst and its quiescent phase. The physical parameters of the protostar and its circumstellar environment ob- tained from the modeling indicate marked differences between the two phases.

A Study of the Molecular Cloud S64 with Multiple Lines of CO Isotopes

We report on a study of the molecular cloud S64 with observations at millimeter wavelengths of multiple molecular lines of CO isotopes. A weak outflow is found, and its physical parameters are estimated. The departure of the core of S64 from the S64 HII region indicates that there are still other star formation activities in that region.