Profiling Young Massive Stars

TL;DR

This study analyzes the spectral energy distributions of 162 sources from a survey to understand the physical properties and evolutionary stages of young massive stars, revealing distinctions between different core types.

Contribution

It provides detailed parameter analysis of young massive star cores, identifying two populations and suggesting evolutionary sequences based on spectral energy distribution fitting.

Findings

Cooler, less luminous mm-only cores are likely precursors to methanol maser sources.

Two distinct populations of mm-only cores are identified based on temperature.

Evidence supports an evolutionary progression from cool to warm cores in massive star formation.

Abstract

We present the results of spectral energy distribution analysis for 162 of the 405 sources reported in the SIMBA survey of Hill et al. (2005). The fits reveal source specific parameters including: the luminosity, mass, temperature, H$_2$ number density, the surface density and the luminosity-to-mass ratio. Each of these parameters are examined with respect to the four classes of source present in the sample. Obvious luminosity and temperature distinctions exist between the mm-only cores and those cores with methanol maser and/or radio continuum emission, with the former cooler and less luminous than the latter. The evidence suggests that the mm-only cores are a precursor to the methanol maser in the formation of massive stars. The mm-only cores comprise two distinct populations distinguished by temperature. Analysis and conclusions about the nature of the cool-mm and warm-mm cores comprising the mm-only population are drawn.