2008ApJ...678L.109K

Previous observations show that the hypercompact H II region W51e2 is surrounded by a massive molecular accretion flow centered on the H II region. New observations of the H53α radio recombination line made with the VLA at 0.45" angular resolution show a velocity gradient in the ionized gas within the H II region of >500 km/s/pc comparable to the velocity gradient seen in the molecular accretion flow. New CO line observations made with the SMA at arcsecond angular resolution detect a molecular bipolar outflow immediately around the W51e2 H II region and extending along the axis of rotation of the molecular flow. These observations are consistent with an evolutionary phase of high-mass star formation in which a newly formed massive star first begins to ionize its surroundings including its own accretion flow.