Ultra-compact Embedded Clusters in the Galactic Plane
Michael J. Alexander, Henry A. Kobulnicky

TL;DR
This paper reports the discovery of a new population of ultra-compact, embedded low-mass stellar clusters in the Galactic Plane, characterized by their small size, infrared brightness, and association with molecular clouds, expanding our understanding of star formation.
Contribution
The study introduces a catalog of 18 ultra-compact embedded clusters identified via infrared surveys, revealing a previously unrecognized population of low-mass stellar groupings.
Findings
Identified 18 ultra-compact embedded clusters in the Galactic Plane.
Clusters contain about six stars each, with associated molecular material.
Potential progenitors of Herbig Ae/Be pre-main sequence clusters.
Abstract
We have identified a previously unrecognized population of very compact, embedded low-mass Galactic stellar clusters. These tight (r0.14 pc) groupings appear as bright singular objects at the few arcsec resolution of the Spitzer Space Telescope at 8 and 24 m but become resolved in the sub-arcsecond UKIDSS images. They average six stars per cluster surrounded by diffuse infrared emission and coincide with 100 -- 300 M clumps of molecular material within a larger molecular cloud. The magnitudes of the brightest stars are consistent with mid- to early-B stars anchoring 80 M star clusters. Their evolutionary descendants are likely to be Herbig Ae/Be pre-main sequence clusters. These ultra-compact embedded clusters (UCECs) may fill part of the low-mass void in the embedded cluster mass function. We provide an initial catalog of 18 UCECs drawn from…
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