Published July 2014 | Version v1
Journal article

The dependence of protostellar luminosity on environment in the Cygnus-X star-forming complex

  • 1. Ritter Astrophysical Observatory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH (United States)
  • 2. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA (United States)
  • 3. Department of Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States)
  • 4. University Bordeaux, LAB, UMR 5804, F-33270 Floirac (France)
  • 5. Institute for Scientific Research, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 (United States)
  • 6. Laboratoire AIM, CEA/IRFU-CNRS/INSU-Université Paris Diderot, Service d'Astrophysique, Bât. 709, CEA-Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex (France)

Description

The Cygnus-X star-forming complex is one of the most active regions of low- and high-mass star formation within 2 kpc of the Sun. Using mid-infrared photometry from the IRAC and MIPS Spitzer Cygnus-X Legacy Survey, we have identified over 1800 protostar candidates. We compare the protostellar luminosity functions of two regions within Cygnus-X: CygX-South and CygX-North. These two clouds show distinctly different morphologies suggestive of dissimilar star-forming environments. We find the luminosity functions of these two regions are statistically different. Furthermore, we compare the luminosity functions of protostars found in regions of high and low stellar density within Cygnus-X and find that the luminosity function in regions of high stellar density is biased to higher luminosities. In total, these observations provide further evidence that the luminosities of protostars depend on their natal environment. We discuss the implications this dependence has for the star formation process.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/148/1/11

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online)
Journal Volume
148
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
[18 p.]
ISSN
1538-3881

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
46048625
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; DENSITY; INTERMEDIATE INFRARED RADIATION; LUMINOSITY; MASS; PHOTOMETRY; PROTOSTARS; STAR EVOLUTION; SUN
Descriptors DEC
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; EVALUATION; EVOLUTION; INFRARED RADIATION; MAIN SEQUENCE STARS; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; RADIATIONS; STARS