The NGC 2264 molecular cloud - CO observations

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (70) References (31) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The NGC 2264 molecular cloud: CO observations. Crutcher, R. M. ; Hartkopf, W. I. ; Giguere, P. T. Abstract The region of the young galactic cluster NGC 2264 and the associated molecular cloud from which the stars presumably formed has been mapped in the 2.6-mm J = 1-0 lines of (C-12)O and (C-13)O. The overall CO structure and the kinematics, mass, and energetics of the molecular cloud are investigated on the basis of the resulting low-spatial-resolution contour maps. It is found that: (1) the NGC 2264 molecular cloud is quite extended and appears to be fragmented into at least six distinct clouds; (2) the mass of the molecular cloud is about 20,000 solar masses, of which about half is concentrated in the very dense main cloud and 3% in stars; (3) there is a spread in stellar ages of almost 10 million years as well as sources identified as very young stars or protostars, suggesting that star formation began 10 million years ago and is continuing today; and (4) ambipolar diffusion is a possible heating mechanism for the core of the main cloud associated with the strong IR point source NGC 2264(IR). Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1978 DOI: 10.1086/156664 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...226..839C Keywords: Carbon Monoxide; Interstellar Gas; Molecular Gases; Star Clusters; Stellar Evolution; Infrared Radiation; Line Spectra; Protostars; Astrophysics; Carbon Monoxide:Open Clusters; Molecular Clouds:Open Clusters; Molecules:Open Clusters full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1)