Young Stellar Object Candidates Research Articles

A survey of extended H2 emission from massive YSOs

We present the results from a survey, designed to investigate the accretion process of massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) through near infrared narrow band imaging using the H$_2$ $\nu$=1-0 S(1) transition filter. A sample of 353 Massive Young Stellar Object (MYSO) candidates was selected from the Red MSX Source survey using photometric criteria at longer wavelengths (infrared and submillimeter) and chosen with positions throughout the Galactic Plane. Our survey was carried out at the SOAR Telescope in Chile and CFHT in Hawaii covering both hemispheres. The data reveal that extended H$_2$ emission is a good tracer of outflow activity, which is a signpost of accretion process on young massive stars. Almost half of the sample exhibit extended H$_2$ emission and 74 sources (21\%) have polar morphology, suggesting collimated outflows. The polar-like structures are more likely to appear on radio-quiet sources, indicating these structures occur during the pre-UCHII phase. We also found an important fraction of sources associated with fluorescent H$_2$ diffuse emission that could be due to a more evolved phase. The images also indicate only $\sim$23\% (80) of the sample is associated with extant (young) stellar clusters. These results support the scenario in which massive stars are formed by accretion disks, since the merging of low mass stars would not produce outflow structures.

Deep near-infrared adaptive-optics observations of a young embedded cluster at the edge of the RCW 41 H II region

We investigate the star formation activity in a young star forming cluster embedded at the edge of the RCW 41 HII region. As a complementary goal, we aim at demonstrating the gain provided by Wide-Field Adaptive Optics instruments to study young clusters. We used deep, JHKs images from the newly commissioned Gemini-GeMS/GSAOI instrument, complemented with Spitzer IRAC observations, in order to study the photometric properties of the young stellar cluster. GeMS is an AO instrument, delivering almost diffraction limited images over a field of 2' across. The exquisite angular resolution allows us to reach a limiting magnitude of J = 22 for 98% completeness. The combination of the IRAC photometry with our JHKs catalog is used to build color-color diagrams, and select Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) candidates. We detect the presence of 80 Young Stellar Object (YSO) candidates. Those YSOs are used to infer the cluster age, which is found to be in the range 1 to 5 Myr. We find that 1/3 of the YSOs are in a range between 3 to 5 Myr, while 2/3 of the YSO are < 3 Myr. When looking at the spatial distribution of these two populations, we evidence a potential age gradient across the field, suggesting sequential star formation. We construct the IMF, and show that we can sample the mass distribution well into the brown dwarf regime (down to 0.01 Msun). The logarithmic mass function rises to peak at 0.3 Msun, before turning over and declining into the brown dwarf regime. The total cluster mass derived is estimated to be 78 +/- 18 Msun, while the ratio of brown dwarfs to star derived is 18 p/- 5 %. When comparing with other young clusters, we find that the IMF shape of the young cluster embedded within RCW 41 is consistent with those of Trapezium, IC 348 or Chamaeleon I, except for the IMF peak, which happens to be at higher mass. This characteristic is also seen in clusters like NGC 6611 or even Taurus.

STAR FORMATION ACTIVITY IN THE LONG, FILAMENTARY INFRARED DARK CLOUD G53.2

We present star formation activity in the infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G53.2, a remarkable IRDC located at Galactic coordinates $(l,b)\sim(53^{\circ}.2,\,0^{\circ}.0)$ based on the census of young stellar object (YSO) candidates. IRDC G53.2 was previously identified as several IRDCs in mid-IR images, but it is in fact a long ($\gtrsim$45 pc) cloud, well consistent with a CO cloud at $v\sim23$ \kms\ (or at $d\sim$1.7 kpc). We present a point-source catalog of IRDC G53.2 that contains $\sim$370 sources from our photometry of the {\it Spitzer} MIPS 24 \um\ data and Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire Catalog. The classification of the identified sources based on their spectral index and control field analysis to remove field star contamination reveals that IRDC G53.2 is an active star-forming region with $\sim$300 YSO candidates. We compare the YSO classification based on spectral index, mid-IR colors, and the wavelength range used, which results in consistent classification, except for flat-spectrum objects, with some ambiguity between Class I and II. Comparison of the YSO population in IRDC G53.2 with those of other nearby star-forming clusters indicates that they are similar in age; on the other hand, stronger association with mid-IR stellar sources in IRDC G53.2 compared with other IRDCs indicates that IRDC G53.2 is at a later evolutionary stage among IRDCs. Spatial distribution of the YSO candidates in IRDC G53.2 shows a good correlation with $^{13}$CO column density and far-IR emission, and earlier-class objects tend to be more clustered in the regions with higher density.

THE YOUNG STELLAR OBJECT POPULATION IN THE VELA-D MOLECULAR CLOUD

We investigate the young stellar population in the Vela Molecular Ridge, Cloud-D (VMR-D), a star forming (SF) region observed by both Spitzer/NASA and Herschel/ESA space telescope. The point source, band-merged, Spitzer-IRAC catalog complemented with MIPS photometry previously obtained is used to search for candidate young stellar objects (YSO), also including sources detected in less than four IRAC bands. Bona fide YSO are selected by using appropriate color-color and color-magnitude criteria aimed to exclude both Galatic and extragalactic contaminants. The derived star formation rate and efficiency are compared with the same quantities characterizing other SF clouds. Additional photometric data, spanning from the near-IR to the submillimeter, are used to evaluate both bolometric luminosity and temperature for 33 YSOs located in a region of the cloud observed by both Spitzer and Herschel. The luminosity-temperature diagram suggests that some of these sources are representative of Class 0 objects with bolometric temperatures below 70 K and luminosities of the order of the solar luminosity. Far IR observations from the Herschel/Hi-GAL key project for a survey of the Galactic plane are also used to obtain a band-merged photometric catalog of Herschel sources aimed to independently search for protostars. We find 122 Herschel cores located on the molecular cloud, 30 of which are protostellar and 92 starless. The global protostellar luminosity function is obtained by merging the Spitzer and Herschel protostars. Considering that 10 protostars are found in both Spitzer and Herschel list it follows that in the investigated region we find 53 protostars and that the Spitzer selected protostars account for approximately two-thirds of the total.

Young stellar object candidates toward the Orion region selected from GALEX

We analyze 359 ultraviolet tiles from the All Sky Imaging Survey of the space mission GALEX covering roughly 400 square degrees toward the Orion star-forming region. There is a total of 1,555,174 ultraviolet sources that were cross-matched with others catalogs (2MASS, UCAC4, SDSS, DENIS, CMC15 and WISE) to produce a list of 290,717 reliable sources with a wide range of photometric information. Using different color selection criteria we identify 111 Young Stellar Object candidates showing both ultraviolet and infrared excesses, of which 81 are new identifications. We discuss the spatial distribution, the spectral energy distributions and other physical properties of these stars. Their properties are, in general, compatible with those expected for T Tauri stars. This population of TTS candidates is widely dispersed around the Orion molecular cloud.

DENSE MOLECULAR CLUMPS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD SUPERGIANT SHELLS LMC 4 AND LMC 5

We investigate the effects of Supergiant Shells (SGSs) and their interaction on dense molecular clumps by observing the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) star forming regions N48 and N49, which are located between two SGSs, LMC 4 and LMC 5. $^{12}$CO ($J$=3-2, 1-0) and $^{13}$CO ($J$=1-0) observations with the ASTE and Mopra telescopes have been carried out towards these regions. A clumpy distribution of dense molecular clumps is revealed with 7 pc spatial resolution. Large velocity gradient analysis shows that the molecular hydrogen densities ($n({\rm H}_2)$) of the clumps are distributed from low to high density ($10^3$-$10^5$ cm$^{-3}$) and their kinetic temperatures ($T_{\rm kin}$) are typically high (greater than $50$ K). These clumps seem to be in the early stages of star formation, as also indicated from the distribution of H$\alpha$, young stellar object candidates, and IR emission. We found that the N48 region is located in the high column density HI envelope at the interface of the two SGSs and the star formation is relatively evolved, whereas the N49 region is associated with LMC 5 alone and the star formation is quiet. The clumps in the N48 region typically show high $n({\rm H}_2)$ and $T_{\rm kin}$, which are as dense and warm as the clumps in LMC massive cluster-forming areas (30 Dor, N159). These results suggest that the large-scale structure of the SGSs, especially the interaction of two SGSs, works efficiently on the formation of dense molecular clumps and stars.

HERschelKEY PROGRAM HERITAGE: A FAR-INFRARED SOURCE CATALOG FOR THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS

Observations from the HERschel Inventory of the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (HERITAGE) have been used to identify dusty populations of sources in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC). We conducted the study using the HERITAGE catalogs of point sources available from the Herschel Science Center from both the Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS; 100 and 160 μm) and Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE; 250, 350, and 500 μm) cameras. These catalogs are matched to each other to create a Herschel band-merged catalog and then further matched to archival Spitzer IRAC and MIPS catalogs from the Spitzer Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE) and SAGE-SMC surveys to create single mid- to far-infrared (far-IR) point source catalogs that span the wavelength range from 3.6 to 500 μm. There are 35,322 unique sources in the LMC and 7503 in the SMC. To be bright in the FIR, a source must be very dusty, and so the sources in the HERITAGE catalogs represent the dustiest populations of sources. The brightest HERITAGE sources are dominated by young stellar objects (YSOs), and the dimmest by background galaxies. We identify the sources most likely to be background galaxies by first considering their morphology (distant galaxies are point-like at the resolution of Herschel) and then comparing the flux distribution to that of the Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey (ATLAS) survey of galaxies. We find a total of 9745 background galaxy candidates in the LMC HERITAGE images and 5111 in the SMC images, in agreement with the number predicted by extrapolating from the ATLAS flux distribution. The majority of the Magellanic Cloud-residing sources are either very young, embedded forming stars or dusty clumps of the interstellar medium. Using the presence of 24 μm emission as a tracer of star formation, we identify 3518 YSO candidates in the LMC and 663 in the SMC. There are far fewer far-IR bright YSOs in the SMC than the LMC due to both the SMCʼs smaller size and its lower dust content. The YSO candidate lists may be contaminated at low flux levels by background galaxies, and so we differentiate between sources with a high ("probable") and moderate ("possible") likelihood of being a YSO. There are 2493/425 probable YSO candidates in the LMC/SMC. Approximately 73% of the Herschel YSO candidates are newly identified in the LMC, and 35% in the SMC. We further identify a small population of dusty objects in the late stages of stellar evolution including extreme and post-asymptotic giant branch, planetary nebulae, and supernova remnants. These populations are identified by matching the HERITAGE catalogs to lists of previously identified objects in the literature. Approximately half of the LMC sources and one quarter of the SMC sources are too faint to obtain accurate ample FIR photometry and are unclassified.

The environment and star formation of H ii region Sh2-163: a multi-wavelength study

To investigate the environment of H ii region Sh2-163 and search for evidence of triggered star formation in this region, we performed a multi-wavelength study of this H ii region. Most of our data were taken from large-scale surveys: 2MASS, CGPS, MSX and SCUBA. We also made CO molecular line observations, using the 13.7-m telescope. The ionized region of Sh2-163 is detected by both the optical and radio continuum observations. Sh2-163 is partially bordered by an arc-like photodissociation region (PDR), which is coincident with the strongest optical and radio emissions, indicating interactions between the H ii region and the surrounding interstellar medium. Two molecular clouds were discovered on the border of the PDR. The morphology of these two clouds suggests they are compressed by the expansion of Sh2-163. In cloud A, we found two molecular clumps. And it seems star formation in clump A2 is much more active than in clump A1. In cloud B, we found new outflow activities and massive star(s) are forming inside. Using 2MASS photometry, we tried to search for embedded young stellar object (YSO) candidates in this region. The very good agreement between CO emission, infrared shell and YSOs suggest that it is probably a star formation region triggered by the expansion of Sh2-163. We also found the most likely massive protostar related to IRAS 23314+6033.

Fe II] 1.64 μm IMAGING OBSERVATIONS OF THE OUTFLOW FEATURES AROUND ULTRACOMPACT H II REGIONS IN THE FIRST GALACTIC QUADRANT

We present [Fe II] 1.644 um features around ultracompact H II regions (UCHIIs) found on a quest for the "footprint" outflow features of UCHIIs---the feature produced by the outflowing materials ejected during the earlier, active accretion phase of massive young stellar objects (MYSOs). We surveyed 237 UCHIIs in the 1st Galactic quadrant, employing the CORNISH UCHII catalog and UWIFE data which is an imaging survey in [Fe II] 1.644 um performed with UKIRT-WFCAM under ~ 0.8" seeing condition. The [Fe II] features were found around five UCHIIs, one of which is of low plausibility. We interpret that the [Fe II] features are shock-excited by outflows from YSOs, and estimate the outflow mass loss rates from the [Fe II] flux, which are ~ 1 x 10^-6 - 4 x 10^-5 Ms yr^-1. We propose that the [Fe II] features might be the "footprint" outflow features, but more studies are required to clarify it. This is based on the morphological relation between the [Fe II] and 5 GHz radio features, the outflow mass loss rate, the travel time of the [Fe II] features, and the existence of several YSO candidates near the UCHIIs. The UCHIIs accompanying the [Fe II] features have a relatively higher peak flux density. The fraction of UCHIIs accompanying the [Fe II] features, 5/237, is small when compared to the ~ 90 % detection rate of high-velocity CO gas around UCHIIs. We discuss some possible explanations on the low detection rate.

NGC 7538: multiwavelength study of stellar cluster regions associated with IRS 1–3 and IRS 9 sources

We present deep and high-resolution (FWHM ~ 0.4 arcsec) near-infrared (NIR) imaging observations of the NGC 7538 IRS 1-3 region (in JHK bands), and IRS 9 region (in HK bands) using the 8.2m Subaru telescope. The NIR analysis is complemented with GMRT low-frequency observations at 325, 610, and 1280 MHz, molecular line observations of H13CO+ (J=1-0), and archival Chandra X-ray observations. Using the 'J-H/H-K' diagram, 144 Class II and 24 Class I young stellar object (YSO) candidates are identified in the IRS 1-3 region. Further analysis using 'K/H-K' diagram yields 145 and 96 red sources in the IRS 1-3 and IRS 9 regions, respectively. A total of 27 sources are found to have X-ray counterparts. The YSO mass function (MF), constructed using a theoretical mass-luminosity relation, shows peaks at substellar (~0.08-0.18 Msolar) and intermediate (~1-1.78 Msolar) mass ranges for the IRS 1-3 region. The MF can be fitted by a power law in the low mass regime with a slope of Gamma ~ 0.54-0.75, which is much shallower than the Salpeter value of 1.35. An upper limit of 10.2 is obtained for the star to brown dwarf ratio in the IRS 1-3 region. GMRT maps show a compact HII region associated with the IRS 1-3 sources, whose spectral index of 0.87+-0.11 suggests optical thickness. This compact region is resolved into three separate peaks in higher resolution 1280 MHz map, and the 'East' sub-peak coincides with the IRS 2 source. H13CO+ (J=1-0) emission reveals peaks in both IRS 1-3 and IRS 9 regions, none of which are coincident with visible nebular emission, suggesting the presence of dense cloud nearby. The virial masses are approximately of the order of 1000 Msolar and 500 Msolar for the clumps in IRS 1-3 and IRS 9 regions, respectively.

HERBIG-HARO OBJECTS AND MID-INFRARED OUTFLOWS IN THE VELA C MOLECULAR CLOUD

We have performed a deep [SII]6717/6731 wide field Herbig-Haro (HH) object survey toward the Vela C molecular cloud with a sky coverage of about 2 deg2. In total, 18 new HH objects, HH 1090-1107, are discovered and the two previously known HH objects, HH 73-74, are also detected in our [SII] images. We also present an investigation of mid-infrared outflows in the Vela C molecular cloud using the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer images taken from AllWISE data release. Using the method suggested by Zhang & Wang, eleven extended green objects (EGOs) are identified to be the mid-infrared outflows, including 6 new mid-infrared outflows that have not been detected previously at other wavelengths and 5 mid-infrared counterparts of the HH objects detected in this work. Using the AllWISE Source Catalog and the source classification scheme suggested by Koenig et al., we have identified 56 young stellar object (YSO) candidates in the Vela C molecular cloud. The possible driving sources of the HH objects and EGOs are discussed based on the morphology of HH objects and EGOs and the locations of HH objects, EGOs and YSO candidates. Finally we associate 12 HH objects and five EGOs with 10 YSOs and YSO candidates. The median length of the outflows in Vela C is 0.35pc and the outflows seem to be oriented randomly.

Accretion Signatures on Massive Young Stellar Objects

AbstractWe present preliminary results from a survey of molecular H2 (2.12 μm) emission in massive young stellar objects (MYSO) candidates selected from the Red MSX Source survey. We observed 354 MYSO candidates through the H2 S(1) 1-0 transition (2.12 μm) and an adjacent continuum narrow-band filters using the Spartan/SOAR and WIRCam/CFHT cameras. The continuum-subtracted H2 maps were analyzed and extended H2 emission was found in 50% of the sample (178 sources), and 38% of them (66) have polar morphology, suggesting collimated outflows. The polar-like structures are more likely to be driven on radio-quiet sources, indicating that these structures occur during the pre-ultra compact H ii phase. We analyzed the continuum images and found that 54% (191) of the sample displayed extended continuum emission and only ~23% (80) were associated to stellar clusters. The extended continuum emission is correlated to the H2 emission and those sources within stellar clusters does display diffuse H2 emission, which may be due to fluorescent H2 emission. These results support the accretion scenario for massive star formation, since the merging of low-mass stars would not produce jet-like structures. Also, the correlation between jet-like structures and radio-quiet sources indicates that higher inflow rates are required to form massive stars in a typical timescale less than 105 years.

MOLECULAR ENVIRONMENT OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT IC 443: DISCOVERY OF THE MOLECULAR SHELLS SURROUNDING THE REMNANT

We have carried out 12CO, 13CO, and C18O observations toward the mixed morphology supernova remnant (SNR) IC 443. The observations cover a 1.5*1.5 deg^2 area and allow us to investigate the overall molecular environment of the remnant. Some northern and northeastern partial shell structure of CO gas is around the remnant. One of the partial shells, about 5' extending beyond the northeastern border of the remnant's bright radio shell, seems to just confine the faint radio halo. On the other hand, some faint CO clumps can be discerned along the eastern boundary of the faint remnant's radio halo. Connecting the eastern CO clumps, the northeastern partial shell structures, and the northern CO partial shell, we can see that a half molecular ring structure appears to surround the remnant. The LSR velocity of the half-ring structure is in the range of -5 km/s to -2 km/s, which is consistent with that of the -4 km/s molecular clouds. We suggest that the half-ring structure of the CO emission at V_LSR -4 km/s is associated with the SNR. The structures are possibly swept up by the stellar winds of SNR IC 443's massive progenitor. Based on the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer and the Two Micron All Sky Survey near-IR database, 62 young stellar object (YSO) candidates are selected within the radio halo of the remnant. These YSO candidates concentrated along the boundary of the remnant's bright radio shell are likely to be triggered by the stellar winds from the massive progenitor of SNR IC 443.

WIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY EXPLOREROBSERVATIONS OF YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS IN THE LYNDS 1509 DARK CLOUD IN AURIGA

The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) has uncovered a striking cluster of young stellar object (YSO) candidates associated with the L1509 dark cloud in Auriga. The WISE observations, at 3.4 μm, 4.6 μm, 12 μm, and 22 μm, show a number of objects with colors consistent with YSOs, and their spectral energy distributions suggest the presence of circumstellar dust emission, including numerous Class I, flat spectrum, and Class II objects. In general, the YSOs in L1509 are much more tightly clustered than YSOs in other dark clouds in the Taurus-Auriga star forming region, with Class I and flat spectrum objects confined to the densest aggregates, and Class II objects more sparsely distributed. We estimate a most probable distance of 485-700 pc, and possibly as far as the previously estimated distance of 2 kpc.

Optical and infrared observations of the young SMC blob N26 and its environment

Context. High-excitation compact Hii regions of the Magellanic Clouds are sites of recent massive star formation in low metallicity environments. Aims. Detailed study of these regions and their environments using high-spatial resolution observations is necessary to better understand massive star formation, which is still an unsolved problem. We aim at a detailed study of the Small Magellanic Cloud compact Hii region N26, which is only 4 00 in diameter. Methods. This study is based on high spatial resolution imaging ( 0: 00 1‐0: 00 3) in JHKs and L 0 bands, using the VLT equipped with the NAOS adaptive optics system. A larger region ( 50 pc 76 pc) was also imaged at medium spatial resolution, using the ESO 2.2 m telescope in optical wavelengths. We also used the JHKs archival data from the IRSF survey and the Spitzer Space Telescope SAGESMC survey. Results. Our high-resolution JHKs data of the compact high-excitation Hii region N26 reveal a new, bright component (C) between the two already known optical components A and B. Components A and C are resolved into several stars. Component A is the main ionization source of N26 and coincides with the radio continuum source B0046-7333. A new compact Hii region with very faint [Oiii] 5007 emission has been discovered. In the mid-infrared, our field resembles a shell formed by filaments and dust clumps, coinciding with the molecular cloud SMCB2. Region N22, located in the center of the shell, is the most excited Hii region of the complex and seems to have created a cavity in SMCB2. We derive nebular parameters from spectra, and using color‐magnitude and color‐color diagrams, we identify stellar sources that show significant near-infrared excess emission in order to identify the best YSO candidates.

AN X-RAY AND INFRARED SURVEY OF THE LYNDS 1228 CLOUD CORE

The nearby Lynds 1228 (L1228) dark cloud at a distance of ~200 pc is known to harbor several young stars including the driving sources of the giant HH 199 and HH 200 Herbig-Haro outflows. L1228 has been previously studied at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths but not in X-rays. We present results of a sensitive 37 ks Chandra ACIS-I X-ray observation of the L1228 core region. Chandra detected 60 X-ray sources, most of which are faint (<40 counts) and non-variable. Infrared counterparts were identified for 53 of the 60 X-ray sources using archival data from 2MASS, Spitzer, and WISE. Object classes were assigned using mid-IR colors for those objects with complete photometry, most of which were found to have colors consistent with extragalactic background sources. Seven young stellar object (YSO) candidates were identified including the class I protostar HH 200-IRS which was detected as a faint hard X-ray source. No X-ray emission was detected from the luminous protostar HH 199-IRS. We summarize the X-ray and infrared properties of the detected sources and provide IR spectral energy distribution modeling of high-interest objects including the protostars driving the HH outflows.

The AKARI Far-Infrared Surveyor young stellar object catalog

Abstract We demonstrate the use of the AKARI all-sky survey photometric data in the study of galactic star formation. Our aim was to select young stellar objects (YSOs) in the AKARI Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) Bright Source Catalogue. We used AKARI/FIS and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) data to derive mid- and far-infrared colors of YSOs. Classification schemes based on quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) have been given for YSOs and the training catalog for QDA was the whole-sky selection of previously known YSOs (i.e., listed in the SIMBAD database). A new catalog of AKARI FIS YSO candidates including 44001 sources has been prepared; the reliability of the classification is over 90%, as tested in comparison to known YSOs. As much as 76% of our YSO candidates are from previously uncatalogued types. The vast majority of these sources are Class I and II types according to the Lada classification. The distribution of AKARI FIS YSOs is well correlated with that of the galactic ISM; local over-densities were found on infrared loops and towards the cold clumps detected by Planck.

Triggered star formation in a molecular shell created by a SNR?

We present a study of a new molecular shell, G 126.1–0.8–14, using available multiwavelength Galactic plane surveys and optical Gemini observations. A well-defined shell-like structure is observed in the CO(1–0) line emission at (l,b) = (126| $_{.}^{\circ}$|1, –0| $_{.}^{\circ}$|8), in the velocity range –10.5 to –15.5 km s−1. The H i emission shows a region of low emissivity inside G 126.1–0.8–14, while radio continuum observations reveal faint non-thermal emission possibly related to this shell. Optical spectra obtained with Gemini South show the existence of B-type stars likely to be associated with G 126.1–0.8–14. An estimate of the stellar wind energy injected by these stars shows that they alone cannot be able to create such a structure. On the other hand, one supernova explosion would provide enough energy to generate the shell. Using the MSX, IRAS and WISE point source catalogues we have found about 30 young stellar object candidates, whose birth could have been triggered by the expansion of G 126.1–0.8–14. In this context, Sh2-187 could be a consequence of the action on its surroundings of the most massive (and thus most evolve) of the stars formed by the expanding molecular shell.

A WIDE-FIELD NEAR- AND MID-INFRARED CENSUS OF YOUNG STARS IN NGC 6334

This paper presents a study of the rate and efficiency of star formation in the NGC 6334 star forming region. We obtained observations at J, H, and Ks taken with the NOAO Extremely Wide-Field Infrared Imager (NEWFIRM) and combined them with observations taken with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope at wavelengths {\lambda} = 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 {\mu}m. We also analyzed previous observations taken at 24 {\mu}m using the Spitzer MIPS camera as part of the MIPSGAL survey. We have produced a point source catalog with >700,000 entries. We have identified 2283 YSO candidates, 375 Class I YSOs and 1908 Class II YSOs using a combination of existing IRAC-based color classification schemes that we have extended and validated to the near-IR for use with warm Spitzer data. We have identified multiple new sites of ongoing star formation activity along filamentary structures extending tens of parsecs beyond the central molecular ridge of NGC 6334. By mapping the extinction we derived an estimate for the gas mass, 2.2 x 10^5 M_sun. The heavy concentration of protostars along the dense filamentary structures indicates that NGC 6334 may be undergoing a "mini-starburst" event with {\Sigma}{SFR}>8.2 M_sun Myr^-1 pc^-2 and SFE>0.10. We have used these estimates to place NGC 6334 in the Kennicutt-Schmidt diagram to help bridge the gap between observations of local low-mass star forming regions and star formation in other galaxies.

INTRINSICALLY POLARIZED STARS AND IMPLICATION FOR STAR FORMATION IN THE CENTRAL PARSEC OF OUR GALAXY

We have carried out adaptive-optics assisted observations at the Subaru telescope, and have found 11 intrinsically polarized sources in the central parsec of our Galaxy. They are selected from 318 point sources with Ks<15.5, and their interstellar polarizations are corrected using a Stokes Q/I - U/I diagram. Considering brightness, near-infrared color excess, and the amount of intrinsic polarization, two of them are good young stellar object (YSO) candidates with an age of ~10^5 yr. If they are genuine YSOs, their existence provides strong constraints on star formation mechanisms in this region. In the remaining sources, two are known as bow-shock sources in the Northern arm. One other is also located in the Northern arm and shows very similar properties, and thus likely to be a so far unknown bow-shock source. The origin of the intrinsic polarization of the other sources is as yet uncertain.