The RMS Survey: A Galaxy-wide Sample of Massive Young Stellar Objects

TL;DR

The RMS survey systematically identifies and characterizes massive young stellar objects across the galaxy using multi-wavelength observations, providing a comprehensive dataset for understanding massive star formation.

Contribution

This is the largest galaxy-wide survey of MYSOs, combining mid-IR data with ground-based follow-up to classify and analyze these objects.

Findings

Distribution of MYSOs across the galaxy analyzed

Identification of contaminating sources completed

Sample enables future star formation studies

Abstract

Here we describe the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey which is the largest, systematic, galaxy-wide search for massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) yet undertaken. Mid-IR bright point sources from the MSX satellite survey have been followed-up with ground-based radio, millimetre, and infrared observations to identify the contaminating sources and characterise the MYSOs and UCHII regions. With the initial classification now complete the distribution of sources in the galaxy will be discussed, as well as some programmes being developed to exploit our sample.