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Abstract

We present \(\sim8-40\,\mu\)m SOFIA-FORCAST images of seven regions of ``clustered" star formation as part of the SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. We identify a total of 34 protostar candidates and build their spectral energy distributions (SEDs). We fit these SEDs with a grid of radiative transfer models based on the Turbulent Core Accretion (TCA) theory to derive key protostellar properties, including initial core mass, \(M_c\), clump environment mass surface density, \(\Sigma_{\rm cl}\), and current protostellar mass, \(m_*\). We also carry out empirical graybody (GB) estimation of \(\Sigma_{\rm cl}\), which allows a case of restricted SED fitting within the TCA model grid. We also release version 2.0 of the open-source Python package \emph{sedcreator}, designed to automate the aperture photometry and SED building and fitting process for sources in clustered environments, where flux contamination from close neighbors typically complicates the process. Using these updated methods, SED fitting yields values of \(M_c\sim30-200\:M_{\odot}\), \(\Sigma_{\text{cl,SED}}\sim0.1-3\:{\rm{g\:cm}}^{-2}\), and \(m_*\sim4-50\:M_{\odot}\). The graybody fitting yields smaller values of \(\Sigma_{\text{cl,GB}}\lesssim1\:{\rm{g\:cm}}^{-2}\). From these results, we do not find evidence for a critical \(\Sigma_{\rm{cl}}\) needed to form massive (\(\gtrsim 8\:M_\odot\)) stars. However, we do find tentative evidence for a dearth of the most massive (\(m_*\gtrsim30\:M_\odot\)) protostars in the clustered regions suggesting a potential impact of environment on the stellar initial mass function.

Details

1009240
Title
The SOFIA Massive (SOMA) Star Formation Survey. V. Clustered Protostars
Publication title
arXiv.org; Ithaca
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Dec 16, 2024
Section
Astrophysics
Publisher
Cornell University Library, arXiv.org
Source
arXiv.org
Place of publication
Ithaca
Country of publication
United States
University/institution
Cornell University Library arXiv.org
e-ISSN
2331-8422
Source type
Working Paper
Language of publication
English
Document type
Working Paper
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2024-12-17
Milestone dates
2024-12-16 (Submission v1)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
17 Dec 2024
ProQuest document ID
3145903479
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/working-papers/sofia-massive-soma-star-formation-survey-v/docview/3145903479/se-2?accountid=208611
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Copyright
© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2024-12-18
Database
2 databases
  • ProQuest One Academic
  • ProQuest One Academic