Far-infrared observations of M17: The interaction of an H II region with a molecular cloud

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157418· OSTI ID:5857956

Gatley, I; Becklin, E E; Sellgren, K; Werner, M W

The central 15' of the M17 H II region--molecular cloud complex has been mapped with 1' resolution simultaneously at 30, 50, and 100 ..mu..m. The data suggest that the bulk of the luminosity radiated in the far-infrared is supplied by the exciting stars of the H II region; the far-infrared radiation is thermal emission from dust grains located chiefly outside the ionized gas. Large-scale systematic gradients in both the temperature and the column density of the dust are seen across the source. The appearance of the source in the far-infrared reflects the markedly nonuniform distribution of matter around the exciting stars; the H II region is bounded by the molecular cloud to the southwest. The core of the molecular cloud is heated primarily by infrared radiation from dust within and adjacent to the H II region; no evidence is seen for substantial luminosity sources embedded within the molecular cloud.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 5857956
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 233:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FLUIDS
GASES
H2 REGIONS
INFRARED RADIATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
NEBULAE
PARTICLES
RADIATIONS
SPACE
SPECTRA
STAR CLUSTERS