2009ApJ...698.1422Z -
Astrophys. J., 698, 1422-1428 (2009/June-3)
A ring/disk/outflow system associated with W51 North: a very massive star in the making.
ZAPATA L.A., HO P.T.P., SCHILKE P., RODRIGUEZ L.F., MENTEN K., PALAU A. and GARROD R.T.
Abstract (from CDS):
Sensitive and high angular resolution (∼0".4) SO2[222,20-> 221,21] and SiO[5 -> 4] line and 1.3 and 7 mm continuum observations made with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) and the Very Large Array (VLA) toward the young massive cluster W51 IRS2 are presented. We report the presence of a large (of about 3000 AU) and massive (40 M☉) dusty circumstellar disk and a hot gas molecular ring around a high-mass protostar or a compact small stellar system associated with W51 North. The simultaneous observations of the silicon monoxide molecule, an outflow gas tracer, further revealed a massive (200 M☉) and collimated (∼14°) outflow nearly perpendicular to the dusty and molecular structures suggesting thus the presence of a single very massive protostar with a bolometric luminosity on the order of 105 L☉. A molecular hybrid local thermodynamic equilibrium model of a Keplerian and infalling disk with an inner cavity and a central stellar mass of more than 60 M☉ agrees well with the SO2[222,20-> 221,21] line observations. Finally, these results suggest that mechanisms, such as mergers of low- and intermediate-mass stars, might not be necessary for forming very massive stars.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
accretion, accretion disks - instrumentation: interferometers - ISM: jets and outflows - molecular data - stars: formation - stars: individual (W51 North, W51N)
Simbad objects:
6
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