A mapping study of L1174 with 13CO J=2-1 and 12CO J=3-2: star formation triggered by a Herbig Ae/Be star

TL;DR

This study maps the molecular environment of dark cloud L1174, revealing how feedback from a Herbig Be star influences core formation and star formation activities through turbulence, expansion, and compression.

Contribution

It provides a detailed multi-wavelength mapping of L1174, demonstrating the role of stellar feedback in triggering star formation around a Herbig Be star.

Findings

Identification of six molecular cores with masses 5-31 M_sun

Detection of large-scale expansion and turbulence in the region

Evidence of star formation triggered by stellar feedback from HD 200775

Abstract

We have carried out a comprehensive study of the molecular conditions and star-forming activities in dark cloud L1174 with multi-wavelength data. Mapping observations of L1174 in $^{13}$CO $J=2-1$ and $^{12}$CO $J=3-2$ were performed using the KOSMA 3-meter telescope. Six molecular cores with masses ranging from 5 to 31 $M_\odot$ and sizes ranging from 0.17 to 0.39 pc are resolved. Large area ahead of a Herbig Be star, HD 200775, is in expanding and core 1 is with collapse signature. Large line widths of $^{13}$CO $J=2-1$ indicate the ubiquity of turbulent motions in this region. Spectra of $^{12}$CO $J=3-2$ prevalently show conspicuously asymmetric double-peaked profiles. In a large area, red-skewed profiles are detected and suggestive of a scenario of global expansion. There is a large cavity around the Herbig Be star HD 200775, the brightest star in L1174. The gas around the cavity has been severely compressed by the stellar winds from HD 200775. Feedbacks from HD 200775 may have helped form the molecular cores around the cavity. Seventeen 2MASS potential young stellar objects were identified according to their 2MASS colour indices. The spatial distribution of the these 2MASS sources indicates that some of them have a triggered origin. All these suggest that feedbacks from a Herbig Ae/Be star may also have the potential to trigger star forming activities.