Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer Observations of Young Stellar Objects in the Western Circinus Molecular Cloud

TL;DR

This study uses WISE infrared data to identify and analyze young stellar objects in the Western Circinus molecular cloud, revealing their distribution, classification, and association with dense cores and outflows.

Contribution

First comprehensive infrared survey of YSOs in the Western Circinus cloud, detailing their distribution and evolutionary stages.

Findings

YSOs are clustered into two main groups.

Numerous Class I and II objects identified.

Class I objects are concentrated in dense regions.

Abstract

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer has uncovered a population of young stellar objects in the Western Circinus molecular cloud. Images show the YSOs to be clustered into two main groups that are coincident with dark filamentary structure in the nebulosity. Analysis of photometry shows numerous Class I and II objects. The locations of several of these objects are found to correspond to known dense cores and CO outflows. Class I objects tend to be concentrated in dense aggregates, and Class II objects more evenly distributed throughout the region.