Massive Stellar Clusters Research Articles

Massive stars in the giant molecular cloud G23.3−0.3 and W41

Young massive stars and stellar clusters continuously form in the Galactic disk, generating new HII regions within their natal giant molecular clouds and subsequently enriching the interstellar medium via their winds and supernovae. Massive stars are among the brightest infrared stars in such regions; their identification permits the characterization of the star formation history of the associated cloud as well as constraining the location of stellar aggregates and hence their occurrence as a function of global environment. We present a stellar spectroscopic survey in the direction of the giant molecular cloud G23.3-0.3. This complex is located at a distance of ~ 4-5 kpc, and consists of several HII regions and supernova remnants. We discovered 11 OfK+ stars, one candidate Luminous Blue Variable, several OB stars, and candidate red supergiants. Stars with K-band extinction from ~1.3 - 1.9 mag appear to be associated with the GMC G23.3-0.3; O and B-types satisfying this criterion have spectro-photometric distances consistent with that of the giant molecular cloud. Combining near-IR spectroscopic and photometric data allowed us to characterize the multiple sites of star formation within it. The O-type stars have masses from 25 - 45 Msun, and ages of 5-8 Myr. Two new red supergiants were detected with interstellar extinction typical of the cloud; along with the two RSGs within the cluster GLIMPSE9, they trace an older burst with an age of 20--30 Myr. Massive stars were also detected in the core of three supernova remnants - W41, G22.7-0.2, and G22.7583-0.4917. A large population of massive stars appears associated with the GMC G23.3-0.3, with the properties inferred for them indicative of an extended history of stars formation.

Constraining globular cluster formation through studies of young massive clusters – III. A lack of gas and dust in massive stellar clusters in the LMC and SMC

Scenarios that invoke multiple episodes of star formation within young globular clusters (GCs) to explain the observed chemical and photometric anomalies in GCs, require that clusters can retain the stellar ejecta of the stars within them and accrete large amounts of gas from their surroundings. Hence, it should be possible to find young massive clusters in the local Universe that contain significant amounts ($>10$\%) of the cluster mass of gas and/or dust within them. Recent theoretical studies have suggested that clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) with masses in excess of $10^4$\msun\, and ages between $30$ and $\sim300$~Myr, should contain such gas reservoirs. We have searched for \hi\ gas within 12 LMC (and 1 SMC) clusters and also for dust using {\em Spitzer} 70\micron\ and 160\micron\ images. No clusters were found to contain gas and/or dust. While two of the clusters have \hi\ at the same (projected) position and velocity, the gas does not appear to be centred on the clusters, but rather part of nearby clouds or filaments, suggesting that the gas and cluster are not directly related. This lack of gas ($<1$\% of the stellar mass) is in strong tension with model predictions, and may be due to higher stellar feedback than has been previously assumed or due to the assumptions used in the previous calculations.

Feedback from winds and supernovae in massive stellar clusters – II. X-ray emission

The X-ray emission from a simulated massive stellar cluster is investigated. The emission is calculated from a 3D hydrodynamical model which incorporates the mechanical feedback from the stellar winds of 3 O-stars embedded in a giant molecular cloud clump containing 3240 M$_{\odot}$ of molecular material within a 4 pc radius. A simple prescription for the evolution of the stars is used, with the first supernova explosion at t=4.4 Myrs. We find that the presence of the GMC clump causes short-lived attenuation effects on the X-ray emission of the cluster. However, once most of the material has been ablated away by the winds the remaining dense clumps do not have a noticable effect on the attenuation compared with the assumed interstellar medium column. We determine the evolution of the cluster X-ray luminosity, L$_X$, and spectra, and generate synthetic images. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity drops from nearly 10$^{34}$ ergs s$^{-1}$ while the winds are `bottled up', to a near constant value of 1.7$\times 10^{32}\rm ergs s^{-1}$ between t=1-4 Myrs. L$_X$ reduces slightly during each star's red supergiant stage due to the depressurization of the hot gas. However, L$_X$ increases to $\approx 10^{34}\rm\,ergs s^{-1}$ during each star's Wolf-Rayet stage. The X-ray luminosity is enhanced by 2-3 orders of magnitude to $\sim 10^{37}\rm ergs s^{-1}$ for at least 4600 yrs after each supernova, at which time the blast wave leaves the grid and the X-ray luminosity drops. The X-ray luminosity of our simulation is generally considerably fainter than predicted from spherically-symmetric bubble models, due to the leakage of hot gas material through gaps in the outer shell. This process reduces the pressure within our simulation and thus the X-ray emission. However, the X-ray luminosities and temperatures which we obtain are comparable to similarly powerful massive young clusters.

ON THE IMPACT OF RADIATION PRESSURE ON THE DYNAMICS AND INNER STRUCTURE OF DUSTY WIND-DRIVEN SHELLS

Massive young stellar clusters are strong sources of radiation and mechanical energy. Their powerful winds and radiation pressure sweep-up interstellar gas into thin expanding shells which trap the ionizing radiation produced by the central clusters affecting the dynamics and the distribution of their ionized gas. Here we continue our comparison of the star cluster winds and radiation pressure effects on the dynamics of shells around young massive clusters. We calculate the impact that radiation pressure has on the distribution of matter and thermal pressure within such shells as well as on the density weighted ionization parameter $U_w$ and put our results on the diagnostic diagram which allows one to discriminate between the wind-dominated and radiation-dominated regimes. We found that model predicted values of the ionization parameter agree well with typical values found in local starburst galaxies. Radiation pressure may affect the inner structure and the dynamics of wind-driven shells only at the earliest stages of evolution or if a major fraction of the star cluster mechanical luminosity is dissipated or radiated away within the star cluster volume and thus the star cluster mechanical energy output is significantly smaller than star cluster synthetic models predict. However, even in these cases radiation dominates over the wind dynamical pressure only if the exciting cluster is embedded into a high density ambient medium.

Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey

Context: Young massive clusters are key to map the Milky Way's structure, and near-IR large area sky surveys have contributed strongly to the discovery of new obscured massive stellar clusters. Aims: We present the third article in a series of papers focused on young and massive clusters discovered in the VVV survey. This article is dedicated to the physical characterization of VVV CL086, using part of its OB-stellar population. Methods: We physically characterized the cluster using $JHK_S$ near-infrared photometry from ESO public survey VVV images, using the VVV-SkZ pipeline, and near-infrared $K$-band spectroscopy, following the methodology presented in the first article of the series. Results: Individual distances for two observed stars indicate that the cluster is located at the far edge of the Galactic bar. These stars, which are probable cluster members from the statistically field-star decontaminated CMD, have spectral types between O9 and B0V. According to our analysis, this young cluster ($1.0$ Myr $<$ age $< 5.0$ Myr) is located at a distance of $11^{+5}_{-6}$ kpc, and we estimate a lower limit for the cluster total mass of $(2.8^{+1.6}_{-1.4})\cdot10^3 {M}_{\odot}$. It is likely that the cluster contains even earlier and more massive stars.

DUSTY SUPERNOVAE RUNNING THE THERMODYNAMICS OF THE MATTER REINSERTED WITHIN YOUNG AND MASSIVE SUPER STELLAR CLUSTERS

Following the observational and theoretical evidence that points at core collapse supernovae as major producers of dust, here we calculate the hydrodynamics of the matter reinserted within young and massive super stellar clusters under the assumption of gas and dust radiative cooling. The large supernova rate expected in massive clusters allows for a continuous replenishment of dust immersed in the high temperature thermalized reinserted matter and warrants a stationary presence of dust within the cluster volume during the type II supernova era. We first show that such a balance determines the range of dust to gas mass ratio and this the dust cooling law. We then search for the critical line that separates stationary cluster winds from the bimodal cases in the cluster mechanical luminosity (or cluster mass) vs cluster size parameter space. In the latter, strong radiative cooling reduces considerably the cluster wind mechanical energy output and affects particularly the cluster central regions, leading to frequent thermal instabilities that diminish the pressure and inhibit the exit of the reinserted matter. Instead matter accumulates there and is expected to eventually lead to gravitational instabilities and to further stellar formation with the matter reinserted by former massive stars. The main outcome of the calculations is that the critical line is almost two orders of magnitude or more, depending on the assumed value of the adiabatic wind terminal speed, lower than when only gas radiative cooling is applied. And thus, many massive clusters are predicted to enter the bimodal regime.

Early disc accretion as the origin of abundance anomalies in globular clusters

Globular clusters (GCs), once thought to be well approximated as simple stellar populations (i.e. all stars having the same age and chemical abundance), are now known to host a variety of anomalies, such as multiple discrete (or spreads in) populations in colour–magnitude diagrams and abundance variations in light elements (e.g. Na, O, Al). Multiple models have been put forward to explain the observed anomalies, although all have serious shortcomings (e.g. requiring a non-standard initial mass function of stars and GCs to have been initially 10–100 times more massive than observed today). These models also do not agree with observations of massive stellar clusters forming today, which do not display significant age spreads nor have gas/dust within the cluster. Here we present a model for the formation of GCs, where low-mass pre-main-sequence stars accrete enriched material released from interacting massive binary and rapidly rotating stars on to their circumstellar discs, and ultimately on to the young stars. As was shown in previous studies, the accreted material matches the unusual abundances and patterns observed in GCs. The proposed model does not require multiple generations of star formation, conforms to the known properties of massive clusters forming today and solves the ‘mass budget problem’ without requiring GCs to have been significantly more massive at birth. Potential caveats to the model as well as model predictions are discussed.

γ-ray emission from the Westerlund 1 region

Westerlund 1 (Wd 1) is the most massive stellar cluster in the Galaxy and associated with an extended region of TeV emission. Here we report the results of a search for GeV gamma-ray emission in this region. The analysis is based on ~4.5 years of Fermi-LAT data and reveals significantly extended emission which we model as a Gaussian, resulting in a best-fit sigma of sigma_S = (0.475 +/- 0.05) deg and an offset from Wd 1 of ~1 deg. A partial overlap of the GeV emission with the TeV signal as reported by H.E.S.S. is found. We investigate the spectral and morphological characteristics of the gamma-ray emission and discuss its origin in the context of two distinct scenarios. Acceleration of electrons in a Pulsar Wind Nebula provides a reasonably natural interpretation of the GeV emission, but leaves the TeV emission unexplained. A scenario in which protons are accelerated in or near Wd 1 in supernova explosion(s) and are diffusing away and interacting with molecular material, seems consistent with the observed GeV and TeV emission, but requires a very high energy input in protons, ~10^51 erg, and rather slow diffusion. Observations of Wd 1 with a future gamma-ray detector such as CTA provide a very promising route to fully resolve the origin of the TeV and GeV emission in Wd 1 and provide a deeper understanding of the high-energy (HE) astrophysics of massive stellar clusters.

STAR FORMATION IN THE MASSIVE “STARLESS” INFRARED DARK CLOUD G0.253+0.016

G0.253+0.016 is a remarkable massive infrared dark cloud located within $\sim$100 pc of the galactic center. With a high mass of $1.3 \times 10^5 M_\odot$, a compact average radius of $\sim$2.8 pc and a low dust temperature of 23 K, it has been believed to be a yet starless precursor to a massive Arches-like stellar cluster. We present sensitive JVLA 1.3 and 5.6 cm radio continuum observations that reveal the presence on three compact thermal radio sources projected against this cloud. These radio sources are interpreted as HII regions powered by $\sim$B0.5 ZAMS stars. We conclude that although G0.253+0.016 does not show evidence of O-type star formation, there are certainly early B-type stars embedded in it. We detect three more sources in the periphery of G0.253+0.016 with non-thermal spectral indices. We suggest that these sources may be related to the galactic center region and deserve further study.

Feedback from winds and supernovae in massive stellar clusters – I. Hydrodynamics

We use 3D hydrodynamical models to investigate the effects of massive star feedback from winds and supernovae on inhomogeneous molecular material left over from the formation of a massive stellar cluster. We simulate the interaction of the mechanical energy input from a cluster with 3 O-stars into a giant molecular cloud (GMC) clump containing 3240 solar masses of molecular material within a 4 pc radius. The cluster wind blows out of the molecular clump along low-density channels, into which denser clump material is entrained. We find that the densest molecular regions are surprisingly resistant to ablation by the cluster wind, in part due to shielding by other dense regions closer to the cluster. Nonetheless, molecular material is gradually removed by the cluster wind during which mass-loading factors in excess of several 100 are obtained. Because the clump is very porous, 60-75 per cent of the injected wind energy escapes the simulation domain, with the difference being radiated. After 4.4 Myr, the massive stars in our simulation begin to explode as supernovae. The highly structured environment into which the SN energy is released allows even weaker coupling to the remaining dense material and practically all of the SN energy reaches the wider environment. The molecular material is almost completely dispersed and destroyed after 6 Myr. The escape fraction of ionizing radiation is estimated to be about 50 per cent during the first 4 Myr of the cluster's life. A similar model with a larger and more massive GMC clump reveals the same general picture, though more time is needed for it to be destroyed.

Complex, quiescent kinematics in a highly filamentary infrared dark cloud★

Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs) host the initial conditions under which massive stars and stellar clusters form. We have obtained high sensitivity and high spectral resolution observations with the IRAM 30m antenna, which allowed us to perform detailed analysis of the kinematics within one IRDC, G035.39-00.33. We focus on the 1-0 and 3-2 transitions of N2H+, C18O (1-0), and make comparison with SiO (2-1) observations and extinction mapping. Three interacting filaments of gas are found. We report large-scale velocity coherence throughout the cloud, evidenced through small velocity gradients and relatively narrow line widths. This suggests that the merging of these filaments is somewhat "gentle", possibly regulated by magnetic fields. This merging of filaments may be responsible for the weak parsec-scale SiO emission detected by Jimenez-Serra et al. 2010, via grain mantle vaporization. A systematic velocity shift between the N2H+ (1-0) and C18O (1-0) gas throughout the cloud of 0.18 +/- 0.04 kms^{-1} is also found, consistent with a scenario of collisions between filaments which is still ongoing. The N2H+ (1-0) is extended throughout the IRDC and it does not only trace dense cores, as found in nearby low-mass star-forming regions. The average H2 number density across the IRDC is ~ 5 x 10^4 cm^{-3}, at least one order of magnitude larger than in nearby molecular clouds where low-mass stars are forming. A temperature gradient perpendicular to the filament is found. From our study, we conclude that G035.39-00.33 (clearly seen in the extinction map and in N2H+) has been formed via the collision between two relatively quiescent filaments with average densities of ~ 5 x 10^3 cm^{-3}, moving with relative velocities of ~ 5 kms^{-1}. The accumulation of material at the merging points started > 1 Myr ago and it is still ongoing.

Multiwavelength analysis of the Lyman-αemitting galaxy Haro 2: relation between the diffuse Lyman-αand soft X-ray emissions

In order to use Lyman alpha (Lya) emission as star formation tracer in cosmological studies, we must understand how the resonant scattering affects the escape fraction of the Lya photons. Thus, high spatial resolution multiwavelength studies of nearby Lya emitters, like Haro 2, are highly needed. For that purpose, we have used Chandra X-ray and HST (UV, optical and NIR) images of Haro 2, and STIS and ground-based spectral images along its major and minor axes, to characterize the Lya emission and the properties of the stellar population. The UV, Ha (Halpha) and FIR luminosities of the Haro 2 nuclear starburst are reproduced using evolutionary synthesis models assuming a young stellar population with ages ~3.5-5.0 Myr, affected by differential interstellar extinctions. The observed X-ray emission is attributed to gas heated by the mechanical energy released by the starburst (soft component) and a Ultra-Luminous X-ray source candidate (hard). Both compact and diffuse Lya components are observed. Whereas Lya is spatially decoupled from Balmer lines emission, Balmer decrement and UV continuum, the diffuse Lya component is spatially correlated with the diffuse soft X-ray emission. Moreover, unlike the compact one, diffuse Lya shows luminosities larger than predicted from Ha, assuming case B recombination and dust extinction as derived from Ha/Hbeta. We propose that, whereas the compact Lya emission is associated to the massive stellar clusters and is affected by outflows and dust extinction, the diffuse Lya originates in gas ionized by the hot plasma responsible for the soft X-ray radiation, as suggested by their spatial correlation and by the measured L(Ha)/LsoftX ratios. Calibration of Lya as star formation rate tracer should therefore include both effects (destruction vs. enhancement) to avoid biases in the study of galaxies at cosmological distances.

HOW TO FIND YOUNG MASSIVE CLUSTER PROGENITORS

We propose that bound, young massive stellar clusters form from dense clouds that have escape speeds greater than the sound speed in photo-ionized gas. In these clumps, radiative feedback in the form of gas ionization is bottled up, enabling star formation to proceed to sufficiently high efficiency so that the resulting star cluster remains bound even after gas removal. We estimate the observable properties of the massive proto-clusters (MPCs) for existing Galactic plane surveys and suggest how they may be sought in recent and upcoming extragalactic observations. These surveys will potentially provide a significant sample of MPC candidates that will allow us to better understand extreme star-formation and massive cluster formation in the Local Universe.

Modelling the composition of a young star cluster ejecta

We have computed with a fine time grid the evolution of the elemental abundances of He, C, N and O ejected by a young (t < 20 Myr) and massive (M$=10^{6}$\,\Msun) coeval stellar cluster with a Salpeter initial mass function (IMF) over a wide range of initial abundances. Our computations incorporate the mass loss from massive stars (M >30 Msun) during their wind phase including the Wolf-Rayet phase and the ejecta from the core collapse supernovae. We find that during the Wolf-Rayet phase (t <5 Myr) the cluster ejecta composition suddenly becomes vastly over-abundant in N for all initial abundances and in He, C and O for initial abundances higher than 1/5th Solar. The C and O abundance in the cluster ejecta can reach over 50 times the solar value with important consequences for the chemical and hydrodynamical evolution of the surrounding ISM.

MULTIWAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF MASSIVE STELLAR CLUSTER CANDIDATES IN THE GALAXY

The Galaxy appears to be richer in young, massive stellar clusters than previously known, due to advances in infrared surveys which have uncovered deeply embedded regions of star formation. Young, massive clusters can significantly impact the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM) and hence radio observations can also be an important tracer of their activity. Several hundred cluster candidates are now known by examining survey data. Here we report on multiwavelength observations of six of these candidates in the Galaxy. We carried out 4.9 and 8.5 GHz VLA observations of the radio emission associated with these clusters to obtain the physical characteristics of the surrounding gas, including the Lyman continuum photon flux and ionized gas mass. Spitzer Infrared Array Camera observations were also made of these regions, and provide details on the stellar population as well as the dust continuum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission. When compared to the known young, massive clusters in the Galaxy, the six cluster candidates have less powerful Lyman ionizing fluxes and ionize less of the H II mass in the surrounding ISM. Therefore, these cluster candidates appear to be more consistent with intermediate-mass clusters (10^3-10^4 Msun).

A multiwavelength study of evolved massive stars in the Galactic Centre

The central region of the Milky Way Galaxy provides a unique laboratory for a systematic, spatially resolved population study of evolved massive stars of various types in a relatively high-metallicity environment. We have conducted a multiwavelength data analysis of 180 such stars or candidates, most of which were drawn from a recent large-scale Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Near-Infrared Camera and MultiObject Spectrometer (NICMOS) narrow-band Paschen α survey, plus additional 14 Wolf–Rayet stars identified in earlier ground-based spectroscopic observations of the same field. The multiwavelength data include broad-band infrared (IR) photometry measurements from HST/NIC2, Simultaneous three-colour InfraRed Imager for Unbiased Surveys (SIRIUS), Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS), Spitzer/IRAC and X-ray observations from Chandra. We correct for extinctions towards individual stars, improve the Paschen α line equivalent width measurements, quantify the substantial mid-IR dust emission associated with carbon sequence Wolf–Rayet (WC) stars and find X-ray counterparts. In the process, we identify 10 foreground sources, some of which may be nearby cataclysmic variables. The nitrogen sequence Wolf–Rayet (WN) stars in the Arches and Central clusters show correlations between the Paschen α equivalent width and the adjacent continuum emission. However, the WN stars in the latter cluster are systematically dimmer than those in the Arches cluster, presumably due to the different ages of the two clusters. In the equivalent width–magnitude plot, late-type nitrogen sequence Wolf–Rayet (WNL) stars, WC stars and OB supergiants roughly fall into three distinct regions. We estimate that the dust mass associated with individual WC stars in the quintuplet cluster can reach 10−5 M⊙, or more than one order of magnitude larger than previous estimates. Thus, WC stars could be a significant source of dust in the galaxies of the early Universe. Nearly half of the evolved massive stars in the Galactic Centre are located outside the three known massive stellar clusters. The ionization of several compact H ii regions can be accounted for by their enclosed individual evolved massive stars, which thus likely formed in isolation or in small groups.

Stellar wind and supernova feedback from massive stars

AbstractWe have constructed three-dimensional hydrodynamical models to simulate the impact of massive star feedback, via winds and SNe, on inhomogeneous molecular material left over from the formation of a massive stellar cluster. We are studying the timescales for the molecular material to be removed from the environment of a massive stellar cluster and the mass and energy fluxes into the wider environment.

A YOUNG STELLAR CLUSTER WITHIN THE RCW41 H II REGION: DEEP NIR PHOTOMETRY AND OPTICAL/NIR POLARIMETRY

The RCW41 star-forming region is embedded within the Vela Molecular Ridge, hosting a massive stellar cluster surrounded by a conspicuous HII region. Understanding the role of interstellar magnetic fields and studying the newborn stellar population is crucial to build a consistent picture of the physical processes acting on this kind of environment. We have carried out a detailed study of the interstellar polarization toward RCW41, with data from an optical and near-infrared polarimetric survey. Additionally, deep near-infrared images from the NTT 3.5m telescope have been used to study the photometric properties of the embedded young stellar cluster, revealing several YSO's candidates. By using a set of pre-main sequence isochrones, a mean cluster age in the range 2.5 - 5.0 million years was determined, and evidence of sequential star formation were revealed. An abrupt decrease in R-band polarization degree is noticed toward the central ionized area, probably due to low grain alignment efficiency caused by the turbulent environment and/or weak intensity of magnetic fields. The distortion of magnetic field lines exhibit a dual behavior, with the mean orientation outside the area approximately following the borders of the star-forming region, and directed radially toward the cluster inside the ionized area, in agreement with simulations of expanding HII regions. The spectral dependence of polarization allowed a meaningful determination of the total-to-selective extinction ratio by fittings of the Serkowski relation. Furthermore, a large rotation of polarization angle as a function of wavelength is detected toward several embedded stars.

Discovery of a young and massive stellar cluster

Context. Recent near-infrared data have contributed to the discovery of new (obscured) massive stellar clusters and massive stellar populations in previously known clusters in our Galaxy. These discoveries lead us to view the Milky Way as an active star-forming machine.

The Quintuplet cluster

The Quintuplet, one of three massive stellar clusters in the Galactic center, is located about 30pc in projection from Sagittarius A*. Based on near-infrared K-band spectra we determine temperatures and luminosities for all stars in our sample and construct the Herztsprung-Russell diagram. We find two distinct groups: early-type OB stars and late-type KM stars, well separated from each other. By comparison with Geneva stellar evolution models we derive initial masses exceeding 8 solar masses for the OB stars, that are located along an isochrone corresponding to a cluster age of about 4 million years. In addition, we derive number ratios (e. g. N_WR/N_O) and compare them with predictions of population synthesis models. We find that an instantaneous burst of star formation at about 3.3 to 3.6\,Myr ago is the most likely scenario to form the Quintuplet cluster. The late-type stars in the sample are red giant branch (RGB) stars or red supergiants (RSGs) according to their spectral signatures. It is discussed if they could physically belong to the Quintuplet cluster. Furthermore, we apply a mass-luminosity relation to construct the initial mass function (IMF) of the cluster. We find indications for a slightly top-heavy IMF.