Two-stage starbursts in the Large Magellanic Cloud - N11 as a once and future 30 Doradus

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (116) References (29) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Two-Stage Starbursts in the Large Magellanic Cloud: N11 as a Once and Future 30 Doradus Walborn, Nolan R. ; Parker, Joel Wm. Abstract A recent, detailed study of the stellar content in the LMC giant shell H II region N11 has revealed a distinct, dual structural morphology, which is remarkably analogous to that emerging from current IR imaging of 30 Doradus. In both regions, the energetic stellar activity from an initial, massive, centrally condensed starburst has apparently triggered a secondary burst around its periphery about 2 x 10^6^ years later, but in N11 the entire process is more advanced than in 30 Dor by 2 x 10^6^ years. That is, N11 appears to be an evolved 30 Dor. There is evidence that the two sequential star-formation mechanisms may produce different IMFs. In both regions, very early stages of massive stellar evolution are evident, including IR protostars, O stars embedded in dense nebular knots, candidate ZAMS O stars, and the O3 stars. Spectra of several recently discovered examples of the latter three categories in N11 are illustrated, and previously unpublished 4 m photographs of the region demonstrate their spectacular interactions with the surrounding interstellar medium. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1992 DOI: 10.1086/186613 Bibcode: 1992ApJ...399L..87W Keywords: H Ii Regions; Magellanic Clouds; Star Formation; Starburst Galaxies; Galactic Evolution; O Stars; Protostars; Stellar Activity; Stellar Spectra; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (13) NED (1)