Massive Stars and Giant HII Regions: The High-Energy Picture

Abstract

Giant HII regions contain highly energetic objects: luminous, massive stars (including Wolf-Rayet stars) generating powerful winds, as well as, often, supernova remnants. These objects interact with the surrounding gas by creating shock waves. Part of the energy input is radiated away in the form of X-rays; also, protons and electrons may be accelerated in situ and generate γ-rays by collisions with the ionized gas. In addition, the stars themselves (including the accompanying low-mass PMS stars) are sources of X-rays, and W-R stars may emit continuum y-rays and are associated with nuclear γ-ray lines seen in the interstellar medium. Therefore, both through the stars they contain and through interactions within the gas, giant HII regions are, in addition to their more traditional properties and over nearly 7 decades in energy, important sources of high-energy radiation.