Izquierdo, AF, Galván-Madrid, R, Maud, LT et al. (5 more authors) (2018) Radiative transfer modelling of W33A MM1: 3D structureand dynamics of a complex massive star-forming region. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 478 (2). pp. 2505-2525. ISSN 0035-8711
Abstract
We present a composite model and radiative transfer simulations of the massive star-forming core W33A MM1. The model was tailored to reproduce the complex features observed with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array at ≈0.2 arcsec resolution in CH₃CN and dust emission. The MM1 core is fragmented into six compact sources coexisting within ∼1000 au. In our models, three of these compact sources are better represented as disc-envelope systems around a central (proto)star, two as envelopes with a central object, and one as a pure envelope. The model of the most prominent object (Main) contains the most massive (proto)star (M⋆ ≈ 7 M⊙) and disc + envelope (Mgas ≈ 0.4 M⊙), and is the most luminous (LMain ∼ 10⁴ L⊙). The model discs are small (a few hundred au) for all sources. The composite model shows that the elongated spiral-like feature converging to the MM1 core can be convincingly interpreted as a filamentary accretion flow that feeds the rising stellar system. The kinematics of this filament is reproduced by a parabolic trajectory with focus at the centre of mass of the region. Radial collapse and fragmentation within this filament as well as smaller filamentary flows between pairs of sources are proposed to exist. Our modelling supports an interpretation where what was once considered as a single massive star with a ∼10³ au disc and envelope is instead a forming stellar association which appears to be virialized and to form several low-mass stars per high-mass object.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All Rights Reserved. This article has been published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | radiative transfer, stars: formation, stars: massive, stars: protostars |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Astrophysics (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) ST/P00041X/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 23 Aug 2018 10:46 |
Last Modified: | 24 Aug 2018 04:27 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/mnras/sty1096 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:134903 |